6000 mink loose in Hampshire
10 August 1998
6000 mink loose in Hampshire
ABOUT 6000 mink were on the loose in Ringwood, Hampshire, last night after animal rights activists broke in to a fur farm and released the critters into the wild.
Farmers in the area have set up mink hunts as police warned people living in the area to keep their domestic pets indoors. Mink are known to be vicious predators.
Thousands of young pheasants were released a week ago for the shooting season and it is feared they will become easy prey.
A kestrel and an owl at a bird sanctuary near Crow Hill Farm have already fallen victim, but at one farm Suzy, a Jack Russell owned by Elizabeth Wiseman, protected 1000 piglets by killing six mink.
The Animal Liberation Front claimed responsibility for the release of the mink, which happened in the early hours of Saturday. Cages containing about 6000 mink were opened and holes were cut in perimeter fences.
The Times 10/08/98 page 1, 3- The Independent 10/08/98 page 6 (In Brief)
- The Guardian 10/08/98 page 1
- The Daily Telegraph 10/08/98 page 5