FUR COMMISSION USA PRESS RELEASE, AUGUST 25, 2003
Terrorists Strike Washington Family Farm
(See also:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001615032_webmink26m.html
Note: the figure of 5,000 reported in the Seattle Times is erroneous. The
figure of 10,000 cited below is correct.)
Sultan, Washington: Eco-terrorists attacked a small mink farm in Snohomish
County, Washington early today, releasing and abandoning over 10,000
domesticated mink from their pens at Roesler Brothers Fur Farm in Sultan.
Along with a "small army" of 50 neighbors, farmers and retired farmers, Frank
Candelario of American Legend Cooperative and Doug Kelly of the American Mink
Council, the marketing cooperatives of North American mink farmers, worked side
by side catching mink as temperatures reached almost 90 degrees.
Frank reported that it was "intense" and "I was very impressed with everyone
working hard." The "small army of people" caught mink in the thick brushy trees
and on the farm while paramedics helped the workers deal with cuts and bites.
Another crew worked cleaning pens of the old feed since the mink had been let
out and abandoned before they'd eaten their feed that morning. Yet more
neighbors brought food and drinks to fuel the crews.
Brothers Brad and Jeff Roesler run the farm along with their families, raising
mink for use in cold-weather clothing, oils and other products. "I got people
helping catch mink that I don't even know," said Brad Roesler, visibly moved by
the kindness of his neighbors.
Candelario reported that it was the farmers' goal was to get the mink into their
pens and well fed, "with a healthy dose of feed, to get them calmed down and
into their routine."
By 6 p.m., about the time the Animal Liberation Front admitted guilt for the
crime, about two-thirds of the traumatized mink were bedded down for the night
and the farm workers took their first breath of the day. The next morning they
would start again.
The attack on the mink farm is estimated at over $500,000 in damages, including
the loss of genetic history for the animals.
The latest terrorist strike continues an expensive month for the West. On Aug. 1, an arson attack on a San Diego apartment construction site caused $50 million in damages. This was followed on Aug. 21 by a $1 million arson at an automobile dealership in West Covina, Los Angeles.
"Obviously eco-terrorists are on a road trip doing damage in Western States," stated Teresa Platt, Executive Director of Fur Commission USA, which represents mink farmers in 28 states. "We urge people to stay alert. Everyone who relies on the Earth and its animals to live is a potential target. That's all of us."
Platt added, "We'd like to thank all the good neighbors who helped recover the mink, and ask people to call us at 619-575-0139 if they find a lost mink. They should also use care since the mink will be scared, hungry and thirsty, and it might bite."
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