$100,000 reward offered in mink-release cases A fur industry group is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for releasing mink this year from six ranches in Oregon, Utah and British Columbia. The latest mink release came Friday, when someone broke into the Ylipelto's Fur Farm in Astoria, opening 1,500 mink pens. About 400 animals remained missing during the weekend. Thirty-five mink were found dead. Some were run over by cars, but most -- about 20 -- were killed by large dogs, according to Teresa Platt, executive director of Fur Commission USA. Platt's organization renewed a standing reward offer of up to $100,000 for information leading to conviction of the culprits in any of the string of crimes. Animal-rights extremists, including the Animal Liberation Front, or ALF, have claimed responsibility for the vandalism by writing anonymous communiques to the North American Animal Liberation Press Office....