Des Moines Register
An animal-rights activism group raided an Anamosa fox farm this week and attempted to release foxes from the property, officials said.
The group, Animal Liberation Front, claimed responsibility for the act through a news release.
“To be clear, our mission extends far beyond fur. We aim to eradicate all animal-exploitation industries — meat, dairy, egg, animal research, and beyond. We encourage the public to adopt a vegan diet first; raid farms second,” the release said.
At about 2 a.m. Friday, Robert Roman, 56, of Anamosa, called authorities and said someone cut through his fence and left a mess. Multiple pens were opened to release the foxes, though most of them did not leave. Officers found two loose foxes and returned them to Roman.
Roman told the sheriff’s office that his name and address are listed on the Animal Liberation Front website, and that he believes an act like this will occur again. About 300 foxes are housed at the farm
Jones County Sheriff Greg Graver said it can be difficult to find a suspect for these type of crimes.
“It’s extremely hard on something like this,” Graver said. “It’s usually not someone from your area, and so a lot of times there’s limited physical evidence.”
In 2004, the same organization claimed responsibility for vandalizing University of Iowa’s Seashore Hall and Spence Laboratories by stealing animals, damaging computers and dumping chemicals.