Wild mink seen close to Silsden beck present no danger to the public, say experts.

silsden parish council expressed concerns that the the mink could be dangerous and damage people's health. But Bradford council's en-vironmental health officials have consulted the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency which says the mink are not dangerous.

A council spokesman says the mink are now firmly established in the wild, having successfully been bred from mink which have escaped from captivity. "They tend to live near river banks where they feed on smaller animals such as voles," he says. "Regrettably, they have been partly responsible for the decline in numbers of these small animals. Mink are timid and not aggressive to larger animals. They do not present a danger to people or a risk to public health. Consequently, no action is currently being taken to destroy them."

Mink have rich brown fur and can grow up to one and half feet long.

with bushy tails up to eight inches in length.

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