For Immediate Release
September 10, 2008
More Captive Mink Released in Oregon
Animal Liberationists Raid Third Fur Farm in as Many Weeks
Scio, Oregon – According to a communique received by the North American Animal Liberation Press Office this week, 100-150 captive mink were released from S and N Mink Farm in Scio, Oregon. The raid is the third in as many weeks, with thousands of captive wild animals given the chance for freedom from profit-hungry breeders.
The communique reads in full:
“Inspired by the recent liberations in Utah and British Columbia; we released between 100 and 150 mink from S&N Fur Farm (40499 Oupor Drive) in Scio, Oregon. Though thousands more mink remain imprisoned on this farm, crammed sometimes 6 and 7 at a time into filthy feces encrusted cages, at least some will have a chance at a free natural life. Also in the sheds of torture were the cages of furious foxes, yearning to be free, rattling their own cages with vengeance. This is our path through this chaotic and frustrating world. Our wisdom will appear to you long before we will. Till the last cage is empty, till all beings are free. ALF
Note** There is no security at this farm. Only the blaring sounds of 80’s love ballads and country music over a loud speaker. Don’t let that deter you.”
Imprisoned in cages for life, fur-bearing animals are forced to endure intensive confinement compared to the miles of territory these animals would enjoy in the wild – their natural state. The natural instincts of these captive animals are completely frustrated; self-mutilation, sickness, infection, poor sanitation and the sheer stress of confinement leads animals to premature death. When they survive, animals of sufficient size are killed by anal electrocution or gassing. Whereas reports from the fur industry have surfaced that liberations were harmful to the animals, the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) and other organizations have a long history of successfully releasing animals into the wild from fur farms. In addition to liberating the wild animals destined for a certain, painful and agonizing death, another goal of liberationists is to cause economic damage to fur farms; dozens of fur farming operations have seen economic ruin since “Operation Bite Back” began by the ALF in the 1990s.
“The fur industry wants the public to believe that most of the mink liberated are recaptured or killed after being freed, but this is not the case; and I would argue that even if some are recaptured, at least they have been given a chance at what everyone deserves, a chance to live free” stated Camille Hankins, a Press Officer with the Animal Liberation Press Office. “Contrary to the rhetoric of those who profit from the imprisonment and killing of these beautiful, wild creatures, scientific studies have proven captive mink have the innate ability to survive in the wild, do not decimate other animal populations or the environment, and do not carry away small children or pets.”