Animal Liberation Front activists hit two separate farms on successive days in Iowa, releasing thousands of animals.
In the early morning hours of October 17, activists snuck onto a farm near Ellsworth, Iowa, and released about 1,400 mink.
The next day, on October 18, ALF activists hit a farm near Mineola, Iowa, releasing more than 100 pigeons and other birds. The farm had been the victim of a previous ALF attack in September 2000.
ALF spokesperson David Barbarash confirmed that the ALF was responsible for the attacks. Barbarash told The Omaha World-Herald,
The ALF is claiming responsibility for both actions. I think what the ALF is doing is giving these animals a fighting chance for survival.
Aside from the loss of the animals activists did about $4,000 in damage to pens and aviaries on the farm.
It is interesting to note that there were several breeding pairs of rare ducks and geese. Apparently if you hunt rare animals that’s bad, but if you release rare animals to be killed in the wild, that’s good!
Source:
Vandals release 1,400 mink. Kate Kompas, Des Moines Register, October 18, 2001.
Activists hit Iowa farm again. Chris Clayton, Omaha World-Herald (Iowa), October 19, 2001.