Leaked security alert #20: New security advice for fur farms
The 20th in a series of leaked Fur Commission “security alerts” Animal Liberation Frontline is posting this month.
| Background: Animal Liberation Frontline has obtained dozens of internal fur industry “security alerts.” These bulletins are sent to fur farmers via email and fax every time there is a “security” related issue affecting US fur farms. The subject matter can range from trespassers being chased from farms, to unpublicized details of ALF raids, to farmers sharing license plate numbers of “suspicious vehicles.”
These are intended to be read by fur farmers only, and were not intended to be read by the general public. I will be posting approximately 30 bulletins over the next month. Read a full background on this series here. |
A synopsis of this alert
This is the second alert in two days I’m posting on the recent Idaho release. And it is the second time in two days I am obligated to highlight the irony and hypocricy of these alerts: Here the Fur Commission is admonishing farmers to install alarms after a raid on the farm of one of its board members – whose farm didn’t have alarms.
To put it another way: Here, a Fur Commission exec is issuing stern advice that Fur Commission execs don’t follow at their own farms.
However what’s most useful about this alert are the specific recommendations for fence alarms. While I would not expect many (if any) farms to heed this advice, it’s worth noting that this alert advises the installation of…
“…contact wire alarms along the length at about a 6-inch height… If the fencing is removed or cut, the wire will sever and sound an alarm in the house, on your phone, in a guard shed, or even in the sheriff’s office.”
This is not to be taken as anything more than a pointer imparted for the sake of instilling confidence in the Fur Commission’s leadership. All indicators are that almost no fur farms have implemented the security precautions advised by the Fur Commission’s secretive security manual, and they are unlikely to take the advice of this alert.
“Fur Commission USA
Security Alert – More on ID farm raid
July 30, 2013
As most of you know by now, an Idaho mink ranch was raided by animal rights extremists early Sunday morning July 28. An anonymous claim of guilt has been posted on the Bite Back website and numerous news outlets are now reporting on the attack. There are links to these items at the bottom of this post.
What is apparent is that the US mink ranchers need to implement the recommended security precautions, especially perimeter fencing and alarm systems, as soon as possible. Like many of the farms in ID and UT we have visited, the perimeter fencing on this ranch had 3-foot corrugated tin with a 10-12 inch gap at the bottom covered by chicken wire. In this case, the chicken wire was quickly and easily opened in 8 different locations. Chain link is similarly vulnerable.
We strongly urge all ranchers with this same fencing to extend corrugated tin panels into the ground (ASAP). Additionally, contact wire alarms along the length at about a 6-inch height, should be installed. If the fencing is removed or cut, the wire will sever and sound an alarm in the house, on your phone, in a guard shed, or even in the sheriff’s office. Corrugated tin roofing is readily available at building supply stores and/or scrap yards.
Other items to consider:
1) Walk the perimeter regularly, Look for anything out of the ordinary (i.e. personal items such as, clothing, tools, backpacks; unusual litter; any signs your fencing has been tampered with)
2) Nighttime presence. Either a watchman or feeding personnel (mix up the routine as to not be predictable on patrol routes or times).
3) Locking the sheds. Install doors with locking mechanisms and alarms.
If you do not have the Fur Commission Security Guide, please email mw@furcommission.com for a copy. We also will gladly visit ranches, upon request, to give detailed security assessments and recommendations. Please remember, the harder you make the target, the less likely you will be successfully targeted.
Links to reports;
Bite Back anonymous claim
http://www.directaction.info/news_july30_13.htm
KMVT Twin Falls (with Fur Commission USA Press Release)
http://magicvalley.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/mini-cassia-mink-farm-raided-activists-claim-responsibility-sheriff-s/article_202f5cd0-f95a-11e2-aadf-0019bb2963f4.html
Twin Falls Times News
http://magicvalley.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/mini-cassia-mink-farm-raided-activists-claim-responsibility-sheriff-s/article_202f5cd0-f95a-11e2-aadf-0019bb2963f4.html
Distributed by Michael Whelan
Fur Commission USA
541-595-8568″
