Sheriff: 10K released mink still missing in Van Wert County

Jessica Orozco, The Lima News, Ohio
·1 min read
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Nov. 16—VAN WERT — Of the 25,000 to 40,000 mink let loose from Lion Farms USA on Hoaglin Road in Van Wert Tuesday morning, about 10,000 remain missing, according to the Van Wert County Sheriff's Office.

In a release, the agency said the original estimate was based on the number of the animals released from their cages but employees corralled thousands of those roaming on the farm throughout the day.

Police believe someone destroyed fencing on the farm early Tuesday and the mink escaped. Police said Tuesday mink eat primarily "fresh kills" and often hunt prey bigger than themselves, but according to the Wednesday update, these mink are actually domesticated animals and will generally be unable to survive in the wild due to a lack of natural survival skills.

Mink should not be approached as they may bite, and instead, people should call Lion Farms at 260-273-0221 or an animal trapper.

Sheriff Thomas Riggenbach said in the release that property owners have the right to protect animals and pets from the mink, but firing a weapon in municipal areas "can be a violation of law."

Those with questions about trapping or hunting mink should contact the Findlay office of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-945-3543.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information can contact the sheriff's office at 419-238-3866 or Van Wert County Crime Stoppers at 419-238-7867.