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An animal-rights activist, who has spent time in federal prison for releasing mink from farms in several states, is now in Utah trying to lend support to those that raided a Kaysville mink farm earlier this month.
Peter Young has put up $2,500 to help defend anyone who gets arrested in connection with the mink farm release on Sept. 21.
He says, "What happens on these farms is so bad that it does justify working outside the law because, unfortunately, there are no laws to protect these animals."
He says he came to Utah to show his support and to lend a hand to any animal-rights activist he says is being harassed. He says, "I've heard reports of the FBI being caught going through people's trash at 4 o'clock in the morning, people being visited."
Young says he's aware he always has a target on his back because he was caught releasing animals before. But he says he had nothing to do with the mink release here in Utah.
The FBI says Peter Young's comments don't hurt their investigation at all. "I don't think it hinders us as much as it keeps, quite frankly, it's good for us because it keeps that crime fresh in the eyes of the public. And maybe there is someone out there that does have information that would lead us and help us to resolve this crime," he said.
But special agent Juan Becerra says it does bother them young has alleged FBI harassment. Becerra says if anyone has been harassed to come speak with them.
E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com
