Police say thousands of mink were released from their cages during an overnight break-in at a fur farm in southwestern Ontario.
Officers say wide openings were cut in a perimeter fence and four sheds were broken into, allowing about 6,800 of the animals to escape overnight Tuesday.
The incident at RBR Fur Farms Ltd. is the second break-in at a mink farm near the Town of St. Marys in recent months.
At the end of May, about 1,600 female mink were released from their cages at a neighbouring facility — prompting the Canadian Mink Breeders Association to offer a $75,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.
Police say many of the mink released during the most recent incident have now been placed back in their cages, however some of them are still missing.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the break-ins to contact Perth County police or Crime Stoppers.
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.