Massillon, Ohio, has become the latest scene of the contentious battle between animal rights activism and the fur industry. Last Thursday, the Stark County Sheriff's Office dispatched deputies to a local mink farm after reports surfaced that around 2,000 mink had been released from their enclosures. The incident, claimed by the North American Animal Liberation press office, is currently under investigation, as reported by Cleveland19.
According to the Minnesota Ag Connection, Fur Commission USA described the event as a criminal act, noting the intruders cut through fencing to free the animals. Challis Hobbs, Executive Director of Fur Commission USA, said in a statement, "This was a criminal act that harmed animals, put farm families at risk, and broke the law." The release of the mink, he emphasized, "guarantees suffering and death" for the animals who lack the skills needed to survive in the wild.
The farm, run by a father-and-son team, is reportedly receiving assistance from staff, family, and neighbors to recover the escaped mink. The FBI has also been drawn into the investigation into this recent attack, which, Fur Commission USA points out, is part of a disturbing trend of harassment against U.S. mink farms.
Officials have highlighted that domestic mink are ill-equipped for survival outside captive environments, and most are expected not to survive more than 24 to 48 hours post-release. In a statement obtained by Farms.com, experts warned about the severe consequences for the well-being of these animals when abruptly introduced to the wild. The involved farm adheres to certified care standards set by the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO), which ensure proper animal welfare practices are in place.
