Authorities are investigating after approximately 2,000 mink were released from a Massillon-area farm in what is being described as a deliberate criminal act.
According to Fur Commission USA, one or more individuals illegally trespassed onto the property late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, cutting through a four-foot section of the farm’s security fence to access the animals.
The farm, operated by a father and son, is working with employees, neighbors, and family members to recover the escaped mink. The Stark County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI have launched an active investigation into the incident.
“Let’s be clear — this was not an act of compassion. This was a criminal act that harmed animals, put farm families at risk, and broke the law,” said Challis Hobbs, executive director of Fur Commission USA. “Releasing farm-raised mink into the wild guarantees suffering and death. Most won’t survive more than 24 to 48 hours.”
Hobbs condemned the act as part of a growing pattern of coordinated harassment targeting mink farms across the country.
“These attacks destroy property, threaten livelihoods, and leave families fearing for their safety,” he said. “Mink farming is legal, ethical, and humane — and these farms are certified to prove it.”
The farm in question follows certified animal care standards created in partnership with veterinarians, scientists, and third-party welfare experts, according to Fur Commission USA. The industry is accredited by the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) and includes standards for housing, nutrition, veterinary care, and humane harvesting.
Hobbs characterized those responsible as “terrorists,” citing the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA), which defines certain conduct intended to damage or interfere with an animal enterprise as a form of domestic terrorism.
Fur Commission USA said it is working with law enforcement to support the farm and will continue offering tools and technology to help protect other facilities from similar incidents.
