The Animal Liberation Front has claimed responsibility for raiding a fur farm in Jefferson on Monday, releasing mink and destroying breeding records.
The front, described by the government as one of the nation's leading domestic terrorist organizations, wrote that it freed about 40 domesticated mink from the Jefferson Fur Farm to give them a chance at survival. The note was signed ALF-Cascadia.
"These animals are not capitalist commodities to be bought and sold for fashion or vanity, but unique individuals deserving of liberation from human exploitation," said the note, released today by the North American Animal Liberation Press Office in Los Angeles.
"Even if some of the mink do not make it, we feel it is better to die free, than at the hands of their speciesist captors."
The participants warned that they would return if the fur farm was not dismantled.
The Fur Commission USA, an industry group that represents fur farmers, reported that more than 50 mink were taken, but all were recovered.
The FBI and local law enforcement were investigating, the commission said.
-- Bryan Denson;
bryandenson@news.oregonian.com