In addition to the FBI’s investigation
of ALF as a terrorist organization from 1988 through 1990, and the ultimate
enactment of the Animal Enterprise Protection Act, federal authorities
have responded to animal rights extremism by launching a number of grand
jury investigations of major incidents. Some of these currently are ongoing,
including inquiries into the following incidents:
- June 1991 break-in and firebombing of mink farm facility at Oregon
State University. The facility damaged by fire was used for storing
feed and equipment. ALF claimed responsibility. - June 1991 destruction by fire of the Northwest Farm Food Cooperative
facility in Edmonds, Washington. The cooperative supplied animal feed
and bedding to northwest fur farms. ALF claimed responsibility. - October 1992 break-in, release of animals, and arson at Utah State
University. The target was a USDA-sponsored predator ecology project
in which coyotes were maintained for experimentation. [19: Many of the
university-based research projects victimized over the years have been
funded-either partially or in full-by government agencies such as the
U.S. Department of Agriculture or the National Institutes of Health.]
ALF claimed responsibility. - On July 16, 1993, a federal grand jury in Grand Rapids, Michigan returned
a five count indictment against Rodney Coronado-a suspected ALF member-in
connection with the February 1992 break-in, vandalism, and arson at
Michigan State University. [20: Rodney Coronado, who also is wanted
in Canada on charges relating to the vandalism of fur retailers, is
still at large.] The indictment includes charges of arson, destruction
of government property, theft, and the use of an explosive. The targeted
project involved fertility research using minks for experimentation.
ALF claimed responsibility for the incident.
Since the appearance of illegal
activity relating to the cause of animal rights, only nine persons have
been convicted in connection with a specific incident. Only one person-Fran
Trutt-was convicted on federal charges (see footnote number 27 below),
and only one person – Roger Troen-has been convicted of involvement in
an incident claimed by ALF. [21: In January 1988, Roger Troen was convicted
in an Oregon county circuit court on charges of first-degree theft and
second-degree burglary relating to his involvement in an October 1986
break-in and theft at the University of Oregon in Eugene.] To date, no
one has been charged under the Animal Enterprise Protection Act of 1992.
Since 1988, 32 states have
enacted laws aimed at protecting-animal enterprises from animal rights-inspired
violence and destruction. They are, by year of enactment, as follows:
|
1988 |
1989 |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
|
Massachusetts |
Indiana |
Arizona |
Arkansas |
Colorado |
Florida |
|
Minnesota |
Utah |
Georgia |
Iowa |
Missouri |
Maine |
|
Idaho |
Montana |
Nebraska |
|||
|
Illinois |
New York |
South Carolina |
|||
|
Kansas |
North Carolina |
South Dakota |
|||
|
Kentucky |
North Dakota |
Tennessee |
|||
|
Louisiana |
Oklahoma |
Virginia |
|||
|
Maryland |
Oregon |
||||
|
Texas |
|||||
|
Washington |
|||||
|
Wisconsin |
As of June 1993,
similar legislation was being considered by legislatures in New Jersey,
Alabama, and New Hampshire.