An Act of Terrorism?

[Outdoor Talk Network by Jim Slinsky]
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An Act of Terrorism? ©

By Jim Slinsky
07/287/07

June 6, 2007 will be a day the lives in infamy, at least in the Commonwealth of PA. It is the day that Robert DeMatteis, owner of Oakwood Mink Farm in Butler County, had his life changed forever. It is the day animal-rights extremists will have difficulty distancing themselves from an act of reprehensible domestic terrorism.

Most likely in the early morning hours of that infamous day someone or some people broke into the Oakwood Mink Farm and released approximately 2800 mink resulting in the death of 443 mink. Some of the mink were run over by cars on nearby Oakwood Road. Some appeared to be stomped to death. The family’s two pet dogs were also bludgeoned to death and nearly beheaded. One can only imagine the shock to the family that morning discovering this gruesome scene. Oakwood Mink Farm has been operated by the DeMatteis family since 1936. The PA State Police, local law enforcement and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force have joined forces in this investigation.

Law enforcement authorities are uncertain if animal rights extremists were involved because mink and the family’s pet dogs were killed. Although dogs have been poisoned in previous similar attacks, but not bludgeoned to death with a sharp object. A spokesperson for the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) claimed it is unlikely any of their members were involved. Apparently, they have an unwritten rule not to harm animals in the execution of their illegal acts. However, there are similarities in this case and previous acts by animal-rights extremists. Law enforcement is aggressively pursuing this case.

The Fur Commission USA , which represents 420 fur farmers in the United States has become involved. They are offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this shameful crime. They have established a DeMatteis Family Fund to help the operation overcome their significant losses. These situations could easily put an operation in bankruptcy.

Donations are being collected by Mr. Joe Leon of Butler, PA. Joe Leon is the neighbor of Robert and Kim DeMatteis and owner of Gun World, a sporting goods store in the Butler area. Their address is Gun World, Box 20 Main Street, Harrisville, PA 16038. Your generosity would be greatly appreciated.

I moved this column to the top of my priority list due to the vicious and violent nature of the crime. We are supposed to be a civilized society, but crimes of this nature prove that a few of us have not evolved very far beyond barbarians. I further hope that a $100,000 reward will generate activity and efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice in an expedient manner.

Obviously, we need to arrest, convict and punish those responsible to the fullest extent of the law. Society needs to send a loud and clear message that atrocities such as this will not be tolerated.

Jim Slinsky is the host and producer of the “Outdoor Talk Network”, a nationally syndicated, outdoor-talk radio program. For a station near you or to contact Jim, visit his website at www.outdoortalknetwork.com.

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