40,000 mink escape from fur farm in Ohio

Hunters in the area went after still more, local media reported.

Warning: This story contains detail which may disturb some readers.

The local Delphos Herald newspaper said workers at the farm, located in Hoagland Township, were shooting at the animals as they ran across the property.

Sheriff Tom Riggenbach said suspects destroyed fences and released between 25,000 and 40,000 animals from their cages.

He said the incident was being investigated as a case of vandalism and breaking and entering.

He warned the mink were "carnivorous animals that stick to a diet of fresh kills", regularly hunting animals larger than themselves.

He urged home-owners, poultry farmers and others to stay away from the animals and call licensed trappers.

On social media, locals said a highway in Van Wert County was still covered in blood from animals hit by cars and trucks.

In 2013, a group calling itself the Animal Liberation Front took credit for releasing mink at a farm in Van Wert County.

However it was not immediately clear whether that group was involved in releasing the mink on Tuesday.

The Delphos Herald reported the group took credit for releasing about 1,000 mink from another Ohio farm earlier this month.

Mink are raised for their fur, a practice that animal rights advocates say is inhumane.

By Wednesday, fewer than 10,000 escapees likely remained at large, the New York Times reported, citing an interview with Mr Riggenbach.

Source | Reuters