Are mink dangerous?
Mink, which resemble ferrets and weasels, are not considered dangerous wild animals, the Ohio Department of Agriculture said. But the department advises people in the area to keep a close eye on backyard poultry and livestock.
In the wild, mink eat everything from frogs and fish to mice and rabbits. Owners of pets and livestock should be aware, the sheriff's office release said. "Minks are carnivorous mammals that stick to a diet consisting of fresh kills," the release read.
"They regularly hunt prey bigger than themselves. As a result, they can be a bothersome pest for homeowners, livestock owners, and property managers. Minks have proven to be especially costly and problematic for poultry ranchers as well as homeowners with ornamental ponds filled with koi and other fish."
How do you capture thousands of mink?
The sheriff's office suggested local, licensed trappers who could assist residents in capturing mink if needed. Officers also contacted the state transportation department after reports of drivers hitting the animals on a road near the farm.
"We wanted to contact ODOT to make them aware and let them come out and just assess what the roadway was looking like and if there was any steps the felt were appropriate to deal with the animals being killed on the roadway," Riggenbach said.
Also assisting in the investigation: the Ohio State Patrol, Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and Ohio Emergency Management Agency.
