Lincolnshire Echo
Activists' arson attack led to 'agonising' death for rabbits in van
Thursday, July 29, 2010
http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news...il/article.html


EIGHT rabbits burned to death during an arson attack on a Lincolnshire
farm for which animal rights activists claimed responsibility, it has
been revealed.

As reported in the Echo, Highgate Farm in Normanby-by-Spital, near
Market Rasen, was targeted by arsonists at about 2.20am on Monday,
July 19.

A white Mercedes Sprinter van was destroyed.

It has now emerged in the back of the van were eight rabbits waiting
for collection. They all died.

Animal rights group Militant Forces Against Huntingdon Life Sciences
has claimed responsibility for the arson.

Two 25-year-old men – one from London and one from Driffield – were
yesterday arrested on suspicion of arson and blackmail. At the time of
going to press, no charges had been brought.

Farm owner Geoff Douglas said whoever set the van on fire neglected to
first check inside.

"No thought was given to what might have been in the van – it could
even have been a driver having a sleep before going on his journey,"
said Mr Douglas, 64.

"Before the police took the vehicle for examination, I was asked to
remove the dead rabbits and it was one of the most upsetting things I
have ever had to do.

"Those poor rabbits, eight of them, while subjected to heat and toxic
fumes, would have had hot, melting plastic dropping on their backs,
leading to an agonising and terrifying death.

"No animal should ever have to suffer like this.

"I say if these activists can prove to me any of my rabbits in this
day and age go through any suffering while developing medicines and
vaccines for people, I will stop supplying that customer."

"It is a legal requirement all medicines and vaccines are tested on
animals before being tested on humans.

"Only then can they be used by the NHS."

As reported in the Echo, Bite Back magazine, based in West Palm Beach,
Florida, USA, which publishes news of animal rights direct action,
received an anonymous claim of responsibility for the incident,
apparently from the group.

Highgate Farm is licensed by the Home Office to breed rabbits, which
are sent to labs for use in the development of veterinary drugs and
human flu vaccines.

Government officials also carry out spot checks to make sure the
rabbits are healthy and happy.

WHOOPS

ha ha
50 bucks says they will deny the whoole thing now

Those people care not a whit about animals, it's about controling others...power trips affect many people.