For Immediate Release August 29, 2013
SIMCOE – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett says animal rights activists that let loose 500 fox and mink from a fur farm near Renton should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
“First off, fur farming is a legitimate agricultural farming operation,” Barrett said. “Several farm generations have invested in the operation. Even if it is covered by insurance, there is still a cost to the insurer and the possibility of the farmer facing increased premiums.”
Barrett’s comments follow animal rights activists releasing 500 animals from the Bollert Fur Farm on Highway 3, west of Renton. The so-called Animal Liberation Front has taken responsibility for the destruction.
Although most of the animals have been rounded up, some are still at large. While the chance for these domesticated animals to survive in the wild is slim, if breeding was to occur with native animals there is a possibility the wild gene pool could be diluted. Barrett pointed to unsuccessful attempted reintroductions of wild turkey with pen-raised birds prior to the success story of the reintroduction of the wild turkey from wild birds.
“The so-called animal lovers aren’t doing any of the animals any favours,” Barrett said. “There is a good possibility the escaped animals will die a long, slow death from starvation. If any do survive, there could be ramifications for native wildlife.”
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For more information contact MPP Toby Barrett at
1-800-903-8629 or 519-428-0446