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Minnesota Investigating Mink Farm Vandalism
USAgNet - 07/24/2017

As of Friday morning, Lang Farms LLC reports that the number of mink released during an act of vandalism last week was just under 40,000. To date, the farm has recovered 11,000 mink that are still alive;15,000 mink recovered that have died, which leaves approximately 14,000 unaccounted for. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Stearns County Sheriff's Office at 320.251.4240 or Tri-County Crimestoppers at 1.800.255.1301. Tri-County Crimestoppers offers a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in criminal matters. In addition Fur Commission USA, a National Trade Association representing the interests of U.S. mink producers, has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case.

At about 5:30 a.m. on July 17, the Stearns County Sheriff's Office responded to a burglary/vandalism report at Lang Farms. two and a half miles northwest of Eden Valley. Lang Farms raises mink for pelts. Between 10:30 Sunday night and 5:30 Monday morning, an unknown person or persons entered the property. Once on the property, they dismantled areas of the exterior fence that surrounds the barns and released all the mink from their cages. Approximately 30,000-40,000 mink were released. Because these mink were domesticated, they will not survive in the wild.

The value of the loss is estimated at over $750,000. Some mink may survive initially and may be loose in the area. If residents see any mink loose in the area, they are asked not to approach them because they may bite. Lang Farms asked that residents call them so that they may be recaptured by experienced mink handlers. Please call Lang Farms at 320-453-4750 and leave a message if any mink are sighted in the area.

The Stearns County Sheriff's Office has notified the Minnesota Duty Officer and State and Federal Law Enforcement partners. This release took place adjacent to a wildlife management area and a wilderness preservation area. The release of predatory domestic animals will have a negative impact on the surrounding native wildlife population. If you have any information, please contact authorities.


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