KAYSVILLE, Utah -- An extremist animal rights group has claimed responsibility for releasing some 7,000 mink from a Kaysville farm.

Members of the Animal Liberation Front publicized their actions in a statement to media agencies on Monday. The statement said three Utah members of the loosely knit group broke into the Lodder Farm, releasing animals, destroying breeding records and vandalizing or destroying some farm equipment.

Josh Lodder says the break-in occurred Sunday morning. About 6,000 of the mink were recovered.

Lodder says activists are misguided if they think they're helping the animals. Captive mink have never gathered food or water, or been exposed to disease. If not recaptured they die in the wild.

Police and FBI agents are investigating.