Cle Elum Mink Farm Raided -- Animal-Rights Group Says It Set 4,000 Free; Some Die

CLE ELUM, Kittitas County - An animal-rights group says it released 4,000 minks from a fur ranch near Cle Elum.

"Apparently, someone went through and unlatched all the cages," Kittitas County sheriff's Sgt. Steve Panattoni said today. "There was no damage to the facility itself."

The ranch owner, Dave Smith, was able to recapture some of the minks released early Saturday, but others were found dead on the side of the highway, Panattoni said.

A neighbor, Bob Bailey, said he found a small mink on Sunday eating from a dish of cat food on his porch.

Panattoni did not know how many of the animals were recaptured, nor did he have an estimate of Smith's losses. Smith refused to comment today.

Yesterday, the Animal Liberation Front claimed responsibility for releasing the animals in a fax sent to news media. The underground organization has claimed responsibility for many similar actions, including recent raids in Oregon.

Don Jordan, manager of Seattle Animal Control, said the minks not yet captured were at great risk. "They're not going to be fully aware of the dangers that are out there from dogs, raccoons and cars, other issues that wild animals have to worry about. And it gets pretty cold there at night," he said.

"Whoever did this seems to be putting the animals at an even greater risk," he added.