20 mink released, breeding records destroyed in Utah
Five mink remain free and 80% of breeding records destroyed in the fifth fur farm rescue this summer.
The FBI is investigating the release of 20 mink in Utah Friday in a raid police say was interrupted by the arrival of a feed truck. Roughly 80% of the farm’s breeding records were also destroyed. Police say five of the mink remain free.
So far, the Animal Liberation Front (or other nebulous group) has not taken credit.
Since the ALF launched “fur farm raiding season” with the release of The Final Nail #4 in early June, farms in Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Montana, and now Utah have been hit, with as many as 7,300 animals released. This is the 5th rescue of fur farm animals in two months, in a summer that has seen a wave of large Animal Liberation Front (and unclaimed) actions.
Aftermath of an ALF mink release in nearby Kaysville UT (2008)
Breeding records destroyed
Maximizing the impact of the raid, the majority of the breeding cards (generally found posted above cages) were also destroyed. This can cripple a mink farm by destroying the verifiable pedigree of its most valuable asset: Breeding stock. Without breeding records, a farm can suffer a massive financial loss and be forced to start from scratch.
Historically, the Animal Liberation Front has begun fur farm releases by destroying the records; a mostly silent activity unlikely to arouse attention before the noisier phase when animals are released.
Name of the farm kept secret
This is the first time in memory that police have refused to name the target of an animal liberation action, citing the threat of future raids. A police spokesperson had this to say about area mink farmers:
“They’re trying to remain as aloof as they possibly can because they don’t want to be revictimized.”
Narrowing down the list of possible targets
Although not named, the list of potential targets is narrowed down significantly by one detail: The raid was allegedly thwarted by the arrive of a feed delivery truck.
The Blueprint fur farm list contains an anonymously-submitted list of all Summit County fur farms on the delivery route for the Utah Fur Breeder’s Cooperative. Presumably, their feed delivery truck is the one referred to by police.
Here is the list:
Black Willow Mink, Coalville, Utah
BK Mink Ranch, Coalville, Utah
Rees’ Fur Farm, Coalville, Utah
Ovards mink farm, Wanship, Utah
D&B Fur Farm, Peoa, Utah
G-W Fur Farm, Peoa, Utah
In all probability, the most recent mink release was at one of these six farms.
The season for liberation
This rescue is yet another significant, life-saving action in the most active summer for the ALF in over a decade. Here is a list of the larget Animal Liberation Front (and unclaimed) actions of this summer:
- Pheasants released from “game breeder”, Riverside CA (July 22nd)
- Horse slaughterhouse set on fire, Roswell NM (July 27th)
- 4,800 mink released from fur farm, Burley, Id (July 28th)
- Bobcat freed from fur farm, Plains MT (August)
- Birds release from wildlife exhibit, Corvallis OR
- 2,000 mink released from fur farm, Morris IL (August 14th)
- 500 mink released from fur farm, Keota IA (August 30th)
awesome work ALF!!!! keep it up!!!
I love your work and I love you guys!!! Keep up the pace!!!
No words can really describe how grateful I am for the work you guys do. I would only hope that one day I get to meet each and everyone of you to shake your hand and thank you personally for saving, and helping the innocent animals.
Thank You for what you do. Our neighbor raised mink while I was growing up and it was horrible they were in these tiny filthy cages and fresh meat was just thrown on top of their cages for them to eat it stunk so bad it would make you throw up. Their water bottles were filthy. I always prayed one day the market would go under for mink and he would make no money and apparently that is what happened when I was in high school they cages were gone. Yes those that were in those cages died but no more were replaced … Such a terrible shames people feel they have to make a living on the backs of animals. Thank You for what you continue to do and what you have done here risking your lives and jail time as well if caught doing what you do! Pats each of you on the back oh what the heck heres some hugs too! TY!
Keep up the good work! Sweet! 🙂
Till every cage is empty !! Well done my precious friends, supporting from the Netherlands !
Keep up the good work!!!!!!!! Each animal counts!
So glad this happened, do it again and again. People are ignorant and really do not care about animals. Destroy their places.
I love it.
nice one x
You are all in my prayers. More power to you. may God bless you all!!
You people will be thrown in jail over a weazel! Get a life!!!! Wow
You guys are criminals. You liberal assholes
You guys are criminals. You liberal assholes