A disturbing chain of events involving animal rights extremists concluded last week in England with the conviction of four criminals.
Unfortunately for all concerned, the macabre nature of the case generated international headlines. Unfortunate for the victims, most certainly. Unfortunate also for the perpetrators, whose zeal for a cause took them down a lunatic and criminal path. And unfortunate for anyone involved in animal production, because publicity about extremism can lead to still more extremism.
Four people were convicted after a six-year campaign of terror against Darley Oaks Farm in central England that raised, among other things, guinea pigs for use in research. At its worst in 2004, the group dug up and stole the remains of a body, the mother-in-law of one farm owner, and held it for ransom in attempts to force closure of the farm.
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The body was found earlier this month when one of the criminals revealed its location in a bid for a reduced sentence.
As reported in the London Telegraph, the group also employed firebombs, death threats and even voodoo dolls to intimidate the farmers.
England is considered the hotbed of animal rights extremism, but bizarre incidents occur much closer to home. In the United States, threats, intimidation and vandalism are increasingly common, according to News release
newss from the Animal Agriculture Alliance, which is a U.S. based group organized to help consumers better understand the role of animal agriculture in the food supply.
Animal rights activism reached such a level of concern in Pennsylvania that the governor amended the state’s crime code last month to include the offence of ecoterrorism. It is defined as “specified offenses against property” with the intent to intimidate or coerce another individual lawfully participating in an activity that involves animals, plants or natural resources.
Canada has been mercifully free of criminal incidents of animal rights extremism. Will that freedom continue? The alliance reports increases in total donations to many animal organizations, including those on the extreme end of the spectrum. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, for example, reported more than $28 million in 2004 revenue, up 20 percent from the previous year. Figures for 2005 aren’t available.
In the face of lunatic tactics such as the Darley Oaks Farm case, awareness and vigilance are among the few available tools.
Against more measured criticisms and protests, the best and perhaps the only real defence for livestock producers is to maintain their concern for animal health and humane production methods.
