"University of Iowa Raided by Animal Liberation Front" www.animaldefense.info 11/18/04 The Animal Liberation Front is claiming responsibility for the liberation of 401 animals from the University of Iowa in the early hours of November 14th, 2004. All animals on the third floor of the UI psychology department -- 88 mice and 313 rats -- were removed, examined and treated by a sympathetic veterinarian, and placed in loving homes. Additionally, two animal labs and three vivisector's offices were entered and all contents relating to animal research were destroyed. These are: 4th Floor - Spence Labs: Vivisector Ed Wasserman's lab entered. Dozens of computers and devices used in experiments on live pigeons were destroyed. Basement - Spence Labs: Lab of vivisector Mark Blumburg and others entered. Surgical equipment and small animal stereotaxic devices, as well as "shock boxes" and other instruments of torture destroyed. 4th Floor - Seashore Hall Primate researcher Joshua Rodefer's office entered. Computer discs, hard drives, paperwork and photos showing Rodefer's work confining drug addicted primates in small glass boxes removed. The remaining paperwork detailing his monstrous work addicting primates and rats to narcotics was soaked in acid and the computer destroyed. 1st Floor - Seashore Hall Primate researcher Amy Poremba's office entered. Computers destroyed, documents removed, and the remainder soaked in acid. Communique follows; This raid was carried out to halt the barbaric research of the UI Psychology Department's 7 primary animal researchers: Professors Poremba, Freeman, Blumburg, Johnson, Robinson, Rodefer and Wasserman. This was not thoughtless vandalism but a methodical effort to cripple the UI psychology department's animal research. Only equipment in rooms where animals were confined and tortured were targeted. Only computers belonging to or used in the work of vivisectors were destroyed. Only documents of animal researchers waere doused in acid. The acid a deliberately chosen paper dissolving agent. Our goal is total abolition of all animal exploitation. Achieved in the short term by delivering the 401 animals from UI's chamber of hell. And in the extended term by shutting down the labs through the erasing of research and equipment used in the barbaric practice of vivisection. The entire raid was a careful and deliberate 5-pronged assault on UI's animal research. Behind the laboratory doors we found drug addicted rats, rats subjected to stress experiments involving loud noise, rats undergoing thirst experiments, unanesthetized rats with protruding surgical staples and oozing wounds, and mice and rats affixed with grotesque head implants. Inside the labs of UI's Psych Department, we found a bloody torture chamber showcasing the cruelest whims of our earth's sickest minds. Professors Freeman, Poremba, Rodefer, Johnson, Robinson, Blumburg, and Wasserman are monsters. Tonight 401 animals are spared their reach. Our deepest sadness is reserved for the animals on the 4th Floor kept from our arms, those we were unable to save, including hundreds of mice and rats, pigeons, guinea pigs, and 8 primates. No animals were released into the wild. All 401 were placed in comfortable, loving homes. We acted as operatives not only of compassion, but good science. Animal research is not only cruel but hazardous -- as data derived from the animal models is not applicable to humans and therefore dangerous. Our bypassing of UI's sophisticated, key card-access, 4-walled security system (perimeter, elevator, corridor, animal room) should be interpreted as a two-fold message: 1) Our utter seriousness in achieving animal liberation. 2) If you torture animals and we not be stopped from liberating them. On the ears of these monsters who know only profit and blood, who hide behind unjust laws, our breath has been wasted. Justice for the victims of vivisection will be achieved not by the blows of boycott nor protest -- but of our sledgehammers to laboratory doors. Let this message be clear to all who victimize the innocent: We're watching. And by axe, drill, or crowbar -- we're coming through your door. Stop or be stopped. A.L.F. Communique Addendum 1.0 The continuation of vivisection is maintained only insofar as it remains outside public sight and scrutiny. The ongoing research uncovered at UI's Psych Dept. is of such a sadistic nature as to be inexcusable by all but the sickest minds. UI code requires all animals be kept behind locked doors of windowless rooms, and most often on floors locked to the public. UI has also tagged this raid as mere vandalism and denied an animal liberation motive despite numerous slogans left painted at the site, all to divert attention from it's animal research. We confiscated paperwork from UI's 7 primary researchers to give the public a glimpse into the sickness kept from their eyes: Prof. Freeman: Drills holes into the skulls of rats and affixes head implants in neurology experiments involving "electrical brain stimulation". Rats removed from his lab were grossly disfigured by surgically implanted devices on the skull. All animals in his lab were rescued. Johnson: Exposes rats to a series of "chronic stressors" including loud noise and strobe lights for the aim of "experimentally induced depression". Also performs experiments involving the withholding of water from rats. All animals in his lab were rescued. Blumburg: Currently subjects infant rats to prolonged cold exposure. Famously deranged mind on record as stating the cries of animals in labs are an automatic response and convey no more emotion than a sneeze. All animals in his lab were rescued. Poremba: Currently confines 8 rhesus monkeys in the NE corner of the Psych building's 4th floor, subjecting them to numerous stressors including reward/punishment experiments. Places primates in a "behavioral conditioning box", also known as a "shock box", where primates are subjected to shock experiments. Inside her office we found pieces of primate brain encased in glass and blueprints to the building. Rodefer: Addicts primates and rats to cocaine, methamphetamine, and PCP in redundant drug experiments. His drug possession license filed with the DEA stipulates the drugs be kept in a locked safe in the building's basement. However 2 stashes of narcotics were found in his 4th floor office, including the inside pocket of a jacket, suggesting he is himself addicted to the drugs he has for years forced on animals. "A.L.F Liberates 43 Goats From H.L.S. Supplier" www.directaction.info 3/15/03 The following communique was received anonymously from UK activists. "In the early hours of Friday 15th March, activists did a raid on Water Farm Goat Centre, Stogursey, Bridgwater, Somerset which supplies many vivisection laboratories around the country such as the notorious Huntingdon Life Sciences. Determined activists headed across fields to the farm full of goats and soon gained access to the barn containing them. Everyone worked as a team and set to work carrying the heavy mothers out of the pen and led them to the edge of the field. Nearly all the baby goats were also rescued, some just a few weeks old. Drivers were contacted and vehicles soon arrived and drove the animals to safety. These beautiful creatures would have been tortured in unnecessary experiments but now they have all been re-homed and will live happy lives in their natural habitat. We will continue to rescue more animals from abuse Until all are free, ALF --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Animal Liberation Front Targets H.L.S. Client" www.directaction.info 3/4/03 The following communique was received by several above-ground animal rights organizations: "In the early morning hours of February 27, 2003, the ALF liberated 115 chickens from Merial Select Laboratory (10026 Main Street, Berlin, MD, 21811, Phone 410 641-2060, Fax 410 641-0768) In the midst of a snowstorm, we made our way to the animal housing units. Using crowbars and boltcutters, we bypassed the alarmed doors by prying and cutting our way through the window panes and wire mesh. After crawling into several barns, we loaded 115 baby chicks into carriers and brought them to safety. They have been taken to temporary housing to live in a period of isolation to ensure that the possible diseases they have been infected with do not spread to others. Afterwards, they will be moved to permanent homes to live freely. Merial Labs will tell you their research into new vaccines is "helping" animals. The truth is, they are creating vaccines to maximize an animal's life inside a factory farm in order to increase profits from the commodification of life. Countless animal research facilities commit their atrocities in Maryland, but Merial was targeted specifically because they are a client of Huntingdon Life Sciences. Any friend of HLS is an enemy of the ALF. We know who their clients are. We are out there, and you're next. until all are free... the Animal Liberation Front" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- World's Largest Insurance Broker Abandons Dying Laboratory: Activists Declare Victory www.shacamerica.net 12/18/02 (Worldwide) Animal rights activists are celebrating their second major victory in less than a year with today's announcement that Marsh Inc., the world's largest insurance company, will no longer provide insurance for Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS). Activists have campaigned against Marsh since February. Property attacks against Marsh increased in the face of mounting injunctions limiting aboveground protests. "The credit for this victory lies equally with those who smashed windows as those held vocal protests outside Marsh offices and homes of executives," states UK Animal Liberation Front Press Officer Robin Webb. Mr. Webb is currently in the U.S. and available for comment at 732.545.7560. The UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced it will take over the insurance brokerage for the controversial lab. In a similar move last year, the Bank of England stepped in to provide Huntingdon with banking facilities, as no commercial bank would offer the lab a bank account HLS was unable to write checks to make bill payments. Providing government facilities to a private business is an unprecedented move, prompted only because no commercial business will align itself with Huntingdon. After less than a year of campaigning, activists drove Stephens Inc., at the time HLS's largest investor and primary financier, to sell all its shares in the lab and relieve itself of a $33 million loan the company had previously extended to HLS saving the lab from foreclosure January 29, 2001. On January 8, 2002, Stephens, the Nation's largest investment firm off-Wall St., announced it would sever all ties to HLS. As a result of the campaign, Marsh has sued dozens of activists and animal rights groups in up to five U.S. cities, and dozens more have faced criminal charges as a result of the campaign against Marsh worldwide. Three activists are currently imprisoned in New York for property destruction at the homes of Marsh directors. "Marsh threw everything they could at the animal rights movement, attempting to deter protests, only to fail miserably," states activist Dave Elliot. "No lawsuit, private investigator, or criminal prosecution prevented this victory. Until HLS is closed we will not apologize, we will not compromise, and we will not relent." Activists have now turned their attention to HLS's executive infrastructure, targeting the directors of the lab and their business affiliates. They vow to use the same strategy and tactics that have yielded victory twice before. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "ALF & ELF Issue Joint Claim for Mink Farm Action in Pennsylvania - Three Other Actions Also Claimed in PA. and NY. " Frontline Information Service 12/2/02 The following communiques were received by the North American Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front Press Offices on Monday, December 2nd. The first communique is joint-issued by the ALF and ELF cells which carried out the Harborcreek fire at the Mindek Brothers Fur Farm last week. Following that are claims for 3 separate actions involving different ELF and ALF cells. Begin communique At 2:00 AM on November 26, 2002, anonymous cells of the A.L.F. and the E.L.F. visited the Mindek Brothers Fur Farm (4200 Shannon Road) in Harborcreek, Pennsylvania. Before disappearing into the night, a large fire was set which completely destroyed the farms feed barn and it's contents, causing extensive financial loss. The A.L.F. is also claiming responsibility for releasing 200 breeding mink in May and 50+ in September from the same farm. Working together, cells from A.L.F. & E.L.F. demolished this feed facility due to it's role in the systematic torture and killing of thousands of innocent creatures yearly - animals which possess the same complex emotional/physiological traits as loved household pets, yet are denied all reasonable consideration and confined to a miserable "existence" in tiny wire cages hardly large enough to turn around in. Imprisoned in fur factories, these solitary creatures are forced to endure intensive confinement for the entirety of their lives, next to, or not uncommonly, packed into the same excrement and disease laden cages as their doomed relatives. In their natural state, these animals maintain a vast territory encompassing several miles. However, on fur farms such as this one, most of these semi-aquatic animals "enjoy" less than 24 inches of space, living on chicken wire, exposed to incredible levels of disease, cannibalism, and weather extremes. With what is essentially still a wild animal, these squalid conditions produce a perpetual state of chronic distress, unimaginable to human beings. This stress leads to severe psychosomatic illness, causing disturbing behaviors like self-mutilation, cannibalism, and incessant pacing and scratching in attempts to escape from their prison. After experiencing the blistering heat, filth, intensive confinement, and other amenities of the mink shed for half of a year, they are either gassed, electrocuted, or have their necks snapped. If they are genetically superior, they often stay on the ranch indefinitely in such conditions, only to be killed in the same manner when they lose their usefulness. These cells have witnessed all of these things and more just as disturbing, first hand at this farm, and feel that they must pose this question to the public. Would this deplorable situation be allowed to continue if the animals happened to be cats, or puppies perhaps, rather than their canine relative the North American Mink? Clearly, it would not. Brutality is brutality - these animals are no less deserving of basic "rights" than the animals we call our friends, and the law protects as such. Thus it is, in the face of this glaring hypocrisy, with their very real suffering in mind, that we take the justice and mercy that the law fails to provide into our own hands, and provide it for those who cannot act in their own defense. The economic value of a dead body or a frivolous luxury item can not be compared to the inherent value of a life - thus unnecessary killing is absolutely unjust. This has been recognized by much of the rest of the world, and in multiple cases, fur farming has been completely banned by other "first-world" governments. It is time for the worlds most accomplished and proven terrorist, the United States, to respond and follow suit. If it does not, this inexorable struggle on behalf of innocent life will continue. The E.L.F. took part in this action on behalf of the Earth, due to the targets extreme pollution of surrounding streams and groundwater with excrement and offal runoff. The fur trade's co-dependant relationship with the ecological nightmare of factory farming and other such nefarious forms of animal agriculture alone, completely necessitate our action in defense of life on Earth. If the owners of the destroyed facility wish to be left alone, they should permanently close their operation, providing clear proof that they have done so. If this is done immediately, and this communique is released to the public UNALTERED, individual members from each of the cells responsible for this action will turn themselves in. If this is not done, the rest of the mink ranch WILL be demolished. Other components of the mink ranch operation may also be targeted. In defense of life, A.L.F. / E.L.F. End communique ****************************************************************************** "National Demonstration Against Huntingdon Life Sciences is a HUGE Success" www.shacamerica.net 12/1/02 Over 350 people from across the United States (and a couple international activists) made their way to East Millstone New Jersey to give Huntingdon Life Sciences a birthday it would not soon forget. Carrying hundreds of signs and huge banners, an angry mob of protestors gathered at the park across from HLS to stage a memorable, loud, and impassioned rally. Kevin Jonas from SHAC spoke about how no legal and police hurdle will keep us from saving those animals inside of Huntingdon, Robin Webb (ALF Press Officer) lead the crowd in chants and songs about smashing the cages and liberating animals, Chris DeRose from Last Chance for Animals reminded the crowd that although it was cold and uncomfortable outside our passion and anger for justice is incendiary and we must never stop the fight for animal liberation. Scores of different activists kept the crowd loud and focused with their bullhorn chants and rants. While the rally was underway SHAC activists working with the People's Law Collective lead demonstrators in organized groups of 50 past police lines into the front of HLS. (An unconstitutional and anti-democracy court in Somerset County (Judge Mahon) prohibited protests of more than 50 people in front of the lab at any one time for "traffic safety" reasons. The road in front of HLS was closed on Sunday - but the police still would only allow 50 at a time in front of HLS.) Armed to the teeth with pepper-spray, clubs, shields, riot gear, and automatic weapons - the police failed to intimidate the determination of the activists. From all parts of the country including (but not limited too) Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Washington DC, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, and Washington came to see the infamous, vile, and soon to be defunct HLS. Having worked on this campaign in their own cities from the last year - December 1st marked the first time the bulk of the demonstrators had ever even seen the actual lab they are trying to close. Very much like making a pilgrimage to Auschwitz and other death camps - the experience was sobering for many. Reminded that they only stood within a couple hundred feet from where they saw on video that little primate get butchered while still alive and knowing that there were thousands still like him suffering behind those walls reawakened an anger in everyone. HLS and the SHAC campaign saturate the country in media stories. CNN did extensive live coverage from the protest and gave hourly updates on the event. NBC, UPN, FOX, and ABC also broadcast the anti-HLS message. Every major New Jersey newspaper and several national papers covered the events and gave front-page space to the story. Almost all of the stories gave a favorable view of the campaign, mentioned Huntingdon's animal cruelty exposes, and shamed the police for their overstated and military-like presence. The demonstration ended on a high note as the crowd left HLS a huge three-foot birthday card covered in messages of ill-will and threats. All leaving that day got to see HLS first hand and were reminded about what they are fighting for. No one was left with any doubt that all of us together are going to close that vile place down. **************************************************************************** "A.L.F. Targets Huntingdon Life Sciences Across the Globe" Frontline Information Service 11/7/02 Two actions, both targeting Huntingdon Life Sciences and dedicated to British animal rights activist Barry Horne on the one year anniversary of his death, were claimed by Animal Liberation Front cells operating on opposite sides of the world. Communiques explaining each action follow. From Scarsdale, New York - 11/06/02 "ALF Target Home of Huntingdon Life Sciences Advisor" <begin communique> Tonight 11/6/02 we stopped by the home of Mark Bibi, (114 High Point Road, Scarsdale, New York) and made a bloody mess of the place. The house was covered with red paint and sprayed slogans denouncing his work for HLS, leaving the home almost as bloody as his palms! We tinkered with his daughter's car, painted that up too, and fished the masterpiece with a boulder through the windshield! Welcome to the post-electoral democracy Mark!, we are damn tired of pulling the pant legs of politicians begging for adjustments in the way animals and the earth are treated we are taking the future into our own hands and you and your dying business are not part of it! Mark Bibi serves as a financial advisor and tax lawyer to HLS and director to Focused Healthcare Partners where he and Andrew Baker think up new ways to rob their investors and throw that money into Huntingdon Life Science. This action was inspired by the spirit of Barry Horn an activist and hero who passed one year ago while fighting to better the lives of animals across the planet. You will always be in our hearts and thoughts Barry. The ALF <end communique> From Auckland, New Zealand - 11/05/02 "ALF Visit Hime of Marsh Executive Director" <begin communique> In the early hours of this morning we paid a visit to Marsh Executive Director J W Bitcheno of 64 Selwyn Rd Epsom Auckland and redecorated one of his vehicles with paint stripper and his pavement with spray paint letting his neightbours know what a animal abusing scumbag lives in their area. Marsh is the insurance service providers for Huntingdon Life Sciences who kill 500 animals every day in horrific cruel experiments. (www.shac.net) HLS will test anything for anybody. They carry out experiments which involve poisoning animals with household products, pesticides, drugs, herbicides, food colourings and additives, sweeteners and genetically modified organisms. There have been five exposes of HLS. Each time horrific evidence of animal abuse and staff incompetence has been uncovered, including workers punching beagle puppies in the face. This action is also dedicated to Barry Horne, the english activist who died last year today while on hunger strike. Barry was a dedicated activist who lost his freedom then his life standing up for those who can not stand up for themselves. We will continue to target Marsh and anyone else involved in animal torture until they stop! SMASH MARSH, SMASH HLS!!!!!! The ALF <end communique> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Florida Passes First U.S. Law Against Cruel Farming System - Sets Nationwide Precedent by Banning "Gestation Crates" www.farmsanctuary.org 11/05/02 For the first time ever, a cruel farming practice has been banned in the United States. On November 5th, Florida voters enacted amendment 10 to outlaw gestation crates, two foot wide metal enclosures where breeding pigs are confined for years. This inhumane device prevents animals from fulfilling their basic needs, causing both physical and psychological disorders. A bill to prohibit gestation crates was proposed in the Florida legislature in 2000, but it died without a hearing. Gene Bauston, president of Farm Sanctuary, recalled a conversation with Steve Basford, a Florida pork producer, "He [Basford] said confidently that if legislation restricting gestation crates was introduced in Tallahassee, his industry could kill it. Instead of addressing humane concerns, he flaunted his industry's political clout." After Florida's legislature failed to address this topic, Florida's citizens began collecting signatures to place a measure on the ballot. Nearly 700,000 signatures were collected, and on November 5th, the amendment was enacted by Florida voters. "Florida has set a national precedent and sent a powerful message to agribusiness. Citizens believe that farm animals deserve protection from cruelty. I hope that agribusiness will take this to heart and be more receptive to humane concerns in the future," said Bauston. Unfortunately, pigs, cattle, chickens and other animals are routinely subjected to inhumane conditions on industrialized farms, and legal protection in the U.S. is grossly inadequate. Farm animals are specifically excluded from the federal Animal Welfare Act, and they are excluded from most state anti-cruelty laws. Humane organizations and animal advocates believe the Florida victory will lead to similar reforms across the nation. Bauston commented, "Agribusiness treats animals in ways that are completely out of line with popular sentiments. When consumers learn about cruel factory farming devices, they are appalled." Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. With over 100,000 active members, Farm Sanctuary works to end the suffering of animals used for food production through legislation and legal action, humane education and public awareness projects, and direct rescue and shelter efforts. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Students Refuse to Dissect Animals" Associated Press 10/01/02 Increasing numbers of students are asking to opt out of the science class ritual of dissecting frogs or fetal pigs, branding the practice cruel and insisting they can learn as much from computer simulations. A 16-year-old honor student in Baltimore was removed from her anatomy class last week after refusing to dissect a cat, then allowed back in with the option of computer alternatives after protesters picketed the high school. In Las Vegas, the Clark County School Board voted earlier this year to let students opt out of dissections if they have parental support. The new policy was adopted after a petition drive led by eighth-grader Laurie Wolff, an A student who received a C in a science class two years earlier after declining to cut up an earthworm. Anti-dissection students also appealed for policy changes this year at a school board meeting in Little Chute, Wis., and last year before a state Senate committee in Vermont. Little Chute student Amy Richards gave a practical reason for accommodating the dissenters. "They won't learn much with their eyes closed because they're disgusted," she said. A student delegation from Woodstock Union High School in Vermont helped get a bill introduced to allow students to use computer models instead of participating in dissections. According to the Humane Society of the United States, eight states have approved opt-out policies California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. A similar policy is pending in New Jersey's legislature. The Baltimore case illustrates how quickly a teacher's classroom decision can become the focus of ideological controversy. On Sept. 23, Jennifer Watson was taken out of her Kenwood High School honors anatomy class and placed in a general science class after she asked for an alternative to cat dissection. The next evening, Humane Society officials attended a school board meeting, requesting that dissection alternatives be provided districtwide. The following day about 20 protesters picketed outside Kenwood High, and school officials announced Jennifer would be allowed back in her class. She will perform computer-simulated dissections, perhaps joined by some other students, while the rest of the class dissects cats. "I've loved animals my whole life," said Jennifer, whose family has several cats. "I was standing up for what I believe in." The Humane Society estimates that 6 million animals mostly frogs, fetal pigs and cats are dissected annually in American schools. The society distributes anti-dissection videos and loans computer software to schools interested in offering alternatives. "Students and teachers come to us on a regular basis saying, 'I don't want to do this any more,'" said Lesley King, the Humane Society's director for education and animal welfare. She said school districts can save money by purchasing reusable dissection software rather than buying dead animals that can only be dissected once. The pressure to cut back on dissections is even being felt in college and graduate programs. King says the Humane Society accepts the need for dissections in veterinary education, but urges schools to use only animals that have been euthanized because of illness or old age. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Coulston Primate Lab Forced to Shut Down; All Chimpanzees and Monkeys Retired" www.idausa.org 9/17/02 ALAMAGORDO, N.M. For perhaps the first time in history, an animal protection group has forced an animal research lab out of existence, In Defense of Animals (IDA) announced today. IDA's victory was made complete when the Center for Captive Chimpanzee Care, a state-of-the-art Florida sanctuary, said that it was permanently retiring the 266 chimpanzees and 61 monkeys at the now-defunct Coulston Foundation, including 16 of the famed "space chimpanzees" abandoned by the Air Force and babies whom the NIH tried to buy for research. The stunning closure of the controversial lab which had received well over $40 million in government funding came after an unrelenting eight-year campaign by IDA prompted unprecedented regulatory action by the FDA, the USDA, and other agencies, cessation of federal funds, international media scrutiny, crippling losses of private clients, Congressional pressure, bank foreclosure and, eventually, total financial collapse. "We are deeply gratified that after eight years of work, we have obtained justice for the chimpanzees who have suffered so long at the hands of The Coulston Foundation," said IDA president Elliot Katz, DVM. Katz scoffed at the lab's spin on the developments, published in yesterday's Dallas Morning News, in which a spokesperson claimed that Coulston had "let" the chimpanzees retire. Katz said the lab did not voluntarily do anything; it was forced to approach the Center because of the total financial ruin caused by IDA's campaign. "It is in memory of Donna, Jello, Echo, Holly and all of the other chimpanzees who lived and died so horribly at Coulston that we celebrate this total victory," Katz continued. "This would not have been possible without our network of courageous whistleblowers and the continuing support of our members. And we can never thank enough the Center for Captive Chimpanzee Care led by Drs. Carole Noon and Jane Goodall and supported by the incredible generosity of the Arcus Foundation for coming forward and turning Coulston's demise into the impossibly perfect outcome of permanent retirement for the surviving chimpanzees." In August 1995, Foundation CEO Fred Coulston was riding high, boasting of becoming the "sole source" of chimpanzees after gaining control of 650 (nearly half the U.S. population in labs) many of them "callously cast aside" by the Air Force, New York University, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and New Mexico State University. At the time, the lab was flush with millions of dollars in NIH and industry funding, and looking to expand the use of chimpanzees with a $40+ million primate-aging center. Today, Fred Coulston's depraved dream of "cornering the market" on chimpanzees is dead. The octogenarian toxicologist has directly blamed IDA for his lab's demise. "Even though The Coulston Foundation is dead, its perverted view of chimpanzees as 'hairy test tubes' lives on," Katz warned. "Our work is far from over. IDA will not rest until all research on chimpanzees ends, and each one of the 1,400 still imprisoned in labs is forever freed from the horrors of experimentation." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Hunting Causes Deer/Auto Collisions" - Friends of Animals Releases Survey www.friendsofanimals.org 8/20/02 Darien, CT- Friends of Animals (FoA) concluded a nationwide survey into the magnitude, characteristics, and underlying causes of highway collisions between deer and automobiles, and has determined that hunting is an important cause of many deer/auto collisions. This first-of-its-kind survey represents a thorough analysis of data supplied by participating state wildlife and transportation agencies, supplemented with information from insurance agencies and wildlife biologists. FoA's president Priscilla Feral says, "FoA's report points to persuasive evidence from 33 reporting U.S. states that indicates a three fold-increase in deer/auto collisions during the months of October, November, and December: Hunting Season. Each year, nearly 500,000 collisions between deer and automobiles are reported in the United States. Deer are killed in nearly all of these accidents, and more than 100 humans die as well. Another 10,000 humans suffer injuries inflicted by these accidents. Insurance companies dole out about $1 billion in claims each year to cover deer/auto collisions, adding financial burden to the human and non-human suffering costs of these accidents. "As autumn approaches, hunters and their apologists at state wildlife agencies tout the need to 'control' deer numbers as a method for reducing the incidence of deer/auto collisions on the nation's highways," Feral says. "And," she adds, "the budgets of state wildlife agencies are tied to revenues received from hunting licenses and related transactions. These apologists may be apprehensive of probing into any potential linking between increases in deer/auto collisions and the occurrence of hunting." "Based on FoA's findings," Feral says, "one can make a valid argument that hunters actually contribute to the increase in deer/auto collisions by serving as agents provocateurs who, by their presence and predatory activities in deer habitat, incite the deer to incautious, evasive flight, resulting in collisions. Deer are normally very cautious when entering an open area, such as a road. When pursued, they will abandon this prudence and bolt across a road without even slowing down." Connecticut reports 3,098 deer killed during 2000. Of these, 1,495 deer (48.26 percent) were killed during the three month period of October to December while the remaining 1,603 deer (51.74 percent) were killed during the nine month period of January to September. The Erie Insurance Group, Pennsylvania's second largest insurer, observes, "Last year, Erie Insurance received an average of 34 claims a day. That number rose nearly five times on the first day of buck season and doe season for 157 and 160 deer losses, respectively." The states of Pa., Ala., Minn., N.M., Ore., S.D., Texas, and Wash. don't collect any data on deer/auto collisions despite the costs in suffering and financial loss incurred by their citizens. FoA's report finds that most deer/auto collisions occur during early morning and early evening hours, which coincide with peak hunting hours. The report calls for the adoption of universal standards in reporting deer/auto collisions, the establishment of campaigns to promote technology that would ameliorate collisions, and a driver's education campaign. Ultimately, FoA concludes that all hunting should be discontinued. Says Feral, "On the score of safety alone, there is enough evidence to warrant an end to the violent and dangerous practices of hunting." The number of hunters in the United States has been in serious, steady decline as indicated in data from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 's 2001 National Survey. In 1996, there were 13,975,000 licensed hunters in the U.S. Today there are 13,034,000. In the last five years, 941,000 persons -- or 7 percent of the 1996 figure -- have abandoned hunting. In contrast, nonviolent, wildlife-watching activities such as observing, feeding, and photographing wildlife are on the rise. In 2001, 66 million -- 31 percent of U.S. residents enjoyed wildlife-watching activities, and spent $40 billion on their activities. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Animal Cruelty Initiative Cleared for Ballot" U.S. Newswire 8/6/02 TAMPA, Fla., - The Florida Department of State has certified the required number of signatures collected for The Florida Animal Cruelty Act, which seeks to halt the intensive confinement of pigs in "gestation crates." The Secretary of State's finding clears the way for placement of the measure, sponsored by Floridians for Humane Farms, on the November 2002 ballot. Floridians for Humane Farms, thanks largely to thousands of volunteers throughout the state, submitted 690,000 signatures of voters in support of the petition. The group launched the campaign only after the state legislature failed to give consideration to a similarly crafted measure introduced in the 2000 legislative session. The Florida Animal Cruelty Amendment seeks to phase out and prevent the use of gestation crates, two-foot by seven-foot metal cages in which pregant sows are confined during pregnancy. During her lifetime, a breeding sow may spend three years confined in the cage, preventing her from even turning around. The initiative does not prevent confinement when necessary for veterinary purposes or during the period just prior to birthing. It allows for current gestation crate operators to phase the use of the crates out over six years, providing a grace period for them to shift to more humane systems of pig rearing. "We have the solid support of concerned Floridians who believe that the use of gestation crates is cruel and unnecessary. They look forward to voting in November to prevent industrial hog factories from taking root here," said Nanci Alexander, founder of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, one of the sponsoring organizations. "Pigs in gestation crates suffer from a range of physical and psychological problems," stated Wayne Pacelle, a senior vice president of The Humane Society of the United States. "It's no surpise that packing animals in small metal cages for months at a time leads to enormous suffering and emotional frustration. Even animals used in an agricultural setting deserve basic humane treatment." "There is an emerging national consensus that animals raised for food should be provided with basic humane housing," added Gene Bauston, president of Farm Sanctuary, "and viable alternatives to inhumane and unnecessary gestation crates do exist, such as housing systems commonly referred to as hoop barns." Intensive confinement techniques like gestation crates have already been banned in the United Kingdom and are being phased out in the European Union and New Zealand. Additionally, many American-owned restaurants such as McDonalds, Burger King and Wendy's have begun to alter their meat purchasing decisions by requiring their suppliers to raise the animals in more spacious conditions. "Keeping highly intelligent, social animals confined in such intense and deprived conditions for the majority of their lives leads to joint and hip disorders, muscle atrophy, repetitive biting of the metal bars, head waving, floor pawing and thrashing around," said Mike Markarian, executive vice president of The Fund for Animals. "This measure sends a signal to corporate factory farms that they are not welcome in Florida." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Monkey Troop Rescue Their Orphan From Police Station" www.orange-today.co.uk 7/25/02 Monkeys rescued an orphaned member of their troop from an Indian police station after its mother was shot dead. The female langur was feeding on a tree when an orchard owner brought her down with an airgun in Murshidabad. The man was arrested by police for shooting a protected species, but the baby wouldn't let go of its dead mother. Police took the body to their station, where the baby continued to suckle its mother. Officers allowed it to stay the night, but around 30 monkeys laid siege to the station - gathering outside and on the roof. Officers were surprised when some monkeys managed to sneak into the station and quietly take the baby away with them. Inspector Prabir Dutta told newspaper Pragati: "What we saw was absolutely touching. It was as if the monkeys had made up their minds to take charge of the orphan. One of the females in the group held it close to its chest and even offered its teats to be sucked. "The monkeys behaved in an exemplary fashion and impressed us with their show of solidarity. Human beings have a lot to learn from them." Later hundreds of local people carried the body of the monkey in a procession, chanting the name of Hindu monkey god Hanuman, before burying it on the banks of a river. The orchard owner Syed Raza, who was released on bail, said: "I feel terrible. I had no intention of killing the monkey. I was just trying to scare it away from the trees and the gun went off." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Huntingdon Life Sciences Fails in Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit" www.shacusa.net 7/9/02 New Jersey - The New Jersey-based animal-testing lab Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS) has dismissed a multi-million dollar R.I.C.O lawsuit it filed against several animal rights groups and individuals, after over a year of litigation. The dismissal marks a significant historical precedent for activists nationwide as Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC), the campaign organized to close HLS, refused to back down in the face of legal bully-boy tactics. SHAC considers the dismissal a major victory for all activist groups and vows to continue it¹s militant and relentless efforts until HLS declares bankruptcy. On April 19th, 2001 Huntingdon filed a Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) civil suit against several animal rights groups and individuals, attempting to curb escalating protest activity aimed at closing the lab. RICO is a set of laws created to protect small businesses from the Mafia. In recent years it has been inappropriately applied to anti-abortion advocates and animal rights activists, setting a dangerous precedent of criminalizing dissent. Typically, activist defendants take settlement agreements, finding the exorbitant costs of litigation and trebled punitive damages intimidating enough to silence their speech. SHAC Attorney, William Strazza, Esq., responded to the dismissal stating, "Although I am pleased this lawsuit has been dismissed, I am outraged by how corporate-America abuses the judicial system and attempts to scare the animal rights movement. During the course of this litigation, the plaintiff¹s claims - of millions in damages - not withstanding this allegation, they have voluntarily dismissed their suit against all defendants. The logical conclusion is that the plaintiffs never had a case. The lesson from this litigation is that any animal abuser, like HLS, are the courtroom equivalents of schoolyard bullies; stand up to them and they will collapse like a house of cards." SHAC considers HLS¹s case a dismal failure, as activists would not agree to any of a multitude of settlement offers presented, would not participate in any depositions, and produced no discovery material. Furthermore, the number of illegal direct action attacks on the lab and its financial supporters dramatically increased as activists felt their right to protest attacked. HLS and Stephen¹s Inc. (the lab¹s former largest investor and lender) were asking for punitive damages in excess of $10 million for diminution in the value of the company, physical damage committed to the business premises and employees¹ homes, and heightened security costs. Both also sought injunctive relief that would set time, place, and manner restrictions on all protests against HLS and its affiliates. It is estimated that HLS and Stephens Inc. spent well over $650,000 in attorney fees and have walked away from this legal endeavor with nothing tangible to show for it. When announcing the lawsuit, HLS¹s CEO and chairman, Andrew Baker, stated "This suit represents a next step in the Company's initiatives to reign in the campaign of a small band of animal rights extremists who are seeking to destroy our Company." Now eating these words, HLS in the last year has suffered more financial setbacks and strain as a result of the merciless campaign against it. According to SHAC spokesperson and named defendant Kevin Jonas, "HLS is a cowardly company and its pathetic attempt at intimidation through this lawsuit has blown up in its face. In dismissing this lawsuit, the lab has abandoned all of its supporters it sought to protect, via injunctive relief, had it won. The SHAC campaign is poised for victory and nothing Huntingdon throws at us will slow our progress." HLS has been targeted by animal rights activists internationally after five undercover investigations revealed a pattern of horrific animal cruelty. Workers were caught on videotape punching four-month-old puppies in the face, dissecting conscious primates, and falsifying data. As a result of pressure from animal activists Huntingdon has lost over 90% of its value, going from a $100 million dollar company to its current worth of $10 million. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "MEPs Ban Cosmetics Tested on Animals" The Guardian UK 6/12/02 The government suffered an embarrassing defeat in Europe yesterday at the hands of its own Members of European Parliament (MEPs) who ignored guidance from Downing Street and voted in favour of an outright ban on the sale of animal tested cosmetics in the UK. Although the testing of cosmetics and their ingredients on animals has been outlawed in Britain since 1998, thousands of beauty products which have been tested on animals elsewhere are sold legally in the UK. Animal rights campaigners have demanded an outright ban on the sale of all such products, regardless of where they were tested, and MEPs yesterday voted for a blanket ban to be phased in within 10 years. The vote puts the European parliament on collision course with the government and several other EU countries who believe that a Europe wide sales ban could spark a trade war with countries such as the US and Japan where all cosmetics have to be tested on animals by law. However the parliament has an equal say with EU governments on the final form the new legislation will take and is unlikely to back down. Labour MEP and consumer affairs spokesman in the parliament, Philip Whitehead, said: "The parliament wants to put an end to cosmetic testing and there are times when members of the parliament vote with their consciences, especially on big issues such as this one, and that is what happened." The government was keen to play down any rift last night. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Animal Rights Group PETA Alleges Spying in Lawsuit Against Circus Owner" Associated Press 6/2/02 RICHMOND, Virginia - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals contends in a lawsuit that top officials of the company that owns Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus paid a former top CIA operative to spy on the organization. PETA, the nation's largest animal-rights group, claims that Feld Entertainment used "former top government spies," including former CIA deputy director Clair E. George to tap its phones, steal documents and infiltrate PETA and similar groups. The lawsuit, filed in Fairfax Circuit Court on Thursday, alleges that Kenneth Feld, chairman of the company that owns the nation's best-known circus, and three top Feld Entertainment officials sought to quell years of protests PETA has waged against the circus. The lawsuit had not been served on Feld as of Saturday, and neither he nor company attorneys would comment, said Catherine Ort-Mabry, spokeswoman for the Vienna, Virginia-based company. "It's clear that this is a pattern with PETA and that they have no love lost for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus," Ort-Mabry said. A telephone message left at George's home in Bethesda, Maryland, on Saturday was not returned. The lawsuit is the latest in years of bitter confrontations between the Norfolk-based animal rights group and the circus over what PETA alleges is cruel treatment of animals used in circus acts, especially elephants. PETA has staged provocative demonstrations across the nation wherever the circus has played, sometimes featuring nearly naked protesters. Last year, the organization sued Feld Entertainment to obtain documents that PETA alleged had been stolen from its headquarters. "The focus of this is that Kenneth Feld is going to use any mechanism he can to prevent us from exposing cruelty under the big top. We want to know how much he conspired with others to prevent us from doing that," said PETA spokeswoman Lisa Lange. The lawsuit asks the court to halt what it contends is a coordinated espionage, surveillance and intimidation effort headed by Feld. It seeks actual damages of dlrs 250,000, punitive damages of dlrs 350,000 as well as court costs and lawyers' fees, and it asks that those damages be trebled, which could bring the total to dlrs 1.8 million or more. It contends that Feld directed an operation that planted volunteers or employees who were on PETA's payroll within the organization to steal information protected as trade secrets. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Germany Votes For Animal Rights" 5/17/02 BERLIN, Germany - Germany has become the first European nation to vote toguarantee animal rights in its constitution. A majority of lawmakers in the Bundestag voted on Friday to add "and |