The Canada Mink Breeders Association (CMBA) has posted a $100,000 reward for information leading to the capture and prosecution of “animal-rights” extremists who broke into a southern Ontario farm and released as many as 500 animals during the night of April 29 and 30.
“We are shocked that any person or group would commit such a cruel and irresponsible act,” said CMBA president Marianne Patten in a press release.
“Most of these mink were nursing females; their newborn kits are all under two weeks old – some are only days old – they are completely dependent on their mothers for warmth and frequent feeding at this stage and many will die.”
A group calling themselves the “mink freedom movement” has claimed responsibility for this farm invasion on an extremist website that publicizes actions – including criminal activities – to oppose the use of animals for food or any other purpose.
“This is a despicable and irresponsible act,” said Kirk Rankin, an Ontario mink farmer and former president of the CMBA.
“Several Ontario farms were attacked like this last summer. These criminals don’t think that people have a right to use animals, fine, but these are domesticated animals that have been raised on farms for more than 100 generations.
“They cannot fend for themselves in the wild, so most will die. And the few that do survive will endanger domesticated ducks or chickens in the region. Releasing nursing females is cruel and just plain stupid.”
Gary Hazlewood, executive director of the CMBA, said, “Whoever released these mink showed a complete disregard for the welfare of the animals; they should be charged for animal cruelty.
“People have a right to their opinions, but breaking into a farm and releasing mink is a criminal action that shows a complete disregard for people and animals. These are family-run farms and farmers work very hard to assure the well-being of their livestock.”
Hazlewood added, “Like most Canadians, we fully support the obligation to provide excellent care for the animals we raise and use.
“Unfortunately, some activist groups have adopted an extremist agenda that seeks to eliminate any use of animals, and some are ever ready to impose their views on others by criminal means. Anyone donating money to activist groups should do their research to be sure they know what they are supporting.”
Rankin stressed that farmed mink “receive excellent nutrition and care; there is no other way to produce the high quality fur required to succeed in highly competitive international markets.”
The standards of care for raising farmed mink in Canada are set out in a newly revised Code of Practice, prepared under the auspices of the National Farm Animal Care Council.
“Canada is known internationally for the extraordinary quality of our mink; that is a testament to the quality of care our farmers provide for their animals,” said Hazlewood.
The value of Canadian fur exports topped $300 million in 2015, with mink produced on more than 200 farms across the country. More than 60,000 Canadians work in various sectors of the fur trade, as trappers, fur farmers, craftspeople and other support sectors.
The fur trade worldwide is now valued at more than $40 billion, according to a recent study by Price Waterhouse Cooper.
