| ANIMAL EXTREMIST / ECOTERROR CRIMES TO 1999 The following chronology covers the period up to 1999. Click here for 21st-century crimes of animal extremism and eco-terror. 1999 / 1998 / 1997 / 1996 / 1995 / 1994 / 1993 / 1992 / 1991 / 1990 / 1989 / 1987 / 1986 / 1985 / 1984 / 1982 / 1981 / 1980 1999 December 31
Arson at genetic research facility
USA: A fire at Michigan State University in East Lansing causes $900,000 in damages, destroying property and years of research on genetically engineered crops. Catherine Ives, a target in the raid, says her $18 million program, funded mostly by USAID, was targeted by the Earth Liberation Front for accepting funding from Monsanto. Ives acknowledges that Monsanto once did contribute $2,000 to her program to train African farmers in modern agricultural methods. 2008: ELFer Frank Ambrose is sentenced to nine years, and ordered to pay $4 million in restitution to the university and other sabotaged entities. Also convicted is Marie Mason, due for sentencing in 2009. December 25
Forestry company attacked by ELF
USA: Arson destroys a 7,200-square-foot timber management office of forestry company Boise Cascade Corp. in Monmouth, Oregon. Guilt is claimed by the Earth Liberation Front. Damage is put at $1 million. December 20
San Francisco arson attack fails
USA: An arson attempt at Fulton Poultry Processors in the Bay Area fails. Just one of four incendiary devices goes off, causing minor damage. ALF claims guilt. November 27
180 bushes destroyed
USA: The Washington Tree Improvement Association claims guilt for felling 180 raspberry bushes at the University of Washington in Seattle. The bushes had been mistaken for hybrid poplar trees. Research squirrels are also released "in solidarity with the animal liberation movement." November 20
Poultry research facility trashed
USA: Labs and offices are trashed at a poultry research facility at Washington State University. ALF claims guilt, saying it is taking a "stand against the commodification of life.". November 14
Arson at feed supplier
Netherlands: Nine trucks at Voedercentrale Milheeze BV are destroyed by fire. Milheeze processes slaughterhouse waste into feed for fur farms. Damage is estimated at 3 to 4 million guilders. The letters "DBF" (Dierenbevrijdingsfront = Animal Liberation Front) are painted on a fence at the crime scene. November 13
Mink released at Utah farm
USA: 30 mink are released from Beckstead Farm, Salt Lake County, while an animal rights demonstration is going on outside. Breeding records are also destroyed. November 1
Gap store bombed
USA: Four gasoline bombs are thrown into the downtown Seattle Gap clothing store. The FBI attributes the attack to ALF in a report given to Seattle authorities.
October - November
Western Washington University Vandalized Twice
USA: Labs at Western Washington University are struck twice. Offices and experiments are destroyed and animals are removed. Guilt is claimed by ALF. October 30
Fur farm raid
Belgium: 400 mink are released and abandoned at a farm in Essen. The action is dedicated by ALF to American animal rightist Samuel Clayton, imprisoned in Belgium. Almost all the mink are recovered. October 24
Lab animals stolen
USA: Rats and rabbits are stolen and labs vandalized at Western Washington University in Bellingham. October 22
Delivery truck torched in Rhode Island
USA: In the early morning hours, a delivery van belonging to a fur store in Warwick is destroyed by fire. "ALF" is spray-painted at the scene. October 16
New York McDonald's outlets attacked
USA: Four McDonald's outlets in Nassau, Long Island, are attacked. Windows are smashed and graffiti spray-painted. Damage exceeds $23,000. Guilt is claimed by ALF. October 15
Fur farm raid
Denmark: About 1,000 mink at a fur farm in Herlufmagle, 56 miles southwest of Copenhagen, are released and abandoned, presumably by animal rights activists. About half are quickly rounded up and returned to the farm. October
Dangerous mail
USA: More than 80 letters containing razor blades are sent to primate researchers across the country. Included is the message: "You have been targeted and you have until autumn of 2000 to release all your primate captives and get out of the vivisection industry. If you do not heed our warning, your violence will be turned back upon you." Responsibility is claimed by ALF's Justice Department. August 31
McDonald's burned down in Georgia
USA: ALF burns down a McDonald's restaurant in Fulton County.  August 29
Californian pacemaker labs attacked
USA: Forty-six dogs are stolen from Bio-Devices, Inc., a facility in Orange County manufacturing pacemakers. Graffiti spray-painted at the scene says "Vivisection Is Fraud" and "Animal Liberation". Damage is put at $250,000. Guilt is claimed by the Animal Liberation Front.
August 12
McDonald's destroyed by fire (right)
Belgium: Arsonists completely destroy an outlet of the fast-food chain McDonald's in Antwerp. Damage is estimated at 870,000 euros (US$809,000). The letters ALF are left painted at the scene. In 1998, the Belgian ALF claimed responsibility for nine attacks against McDonald's and outlets of Quick, another fast-food chain. August 9
Wisconsin feed supplier torched (below)
USA: Arsonists destroy United Feed Mills, a supplier of feed to fur farms, in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Damage is estimated at $1.5 million. (Related story)  August 9
Wisconsin mink farm raided
USA: Three thousand mink are released from a farm in Plymouth. Guilt is claimed by ALF. (Related story)
August 7
Arsonists attack Michigan veterinarian
USA: A veterinarian in Escanaba who works with the fur industry has his fishing boat destroyed by fire. Graffiti at the scene of the crime states: "FUR IS MURDER. E.L.F." ELF is the Earth Liberation Front. Damage is put at $15,000. (Related story) August 3
Wisconsin fur farm vandalized
USA: Vandals attack Krieger Farm in Kenosha County, and release 3,000 domesticated mink. Most of the animals are safely returned to their pens. Guilt is claimed by ALF. (Related story) 
August 1
Arson attack at Unigate Dairies (right)
UK: £1 million of damage is caused in an arson attack at Unigate Dairies in Oxford. Animal rights activists are suspected of placing incendiary devices under 17 trucks. A police spokesman calls the attack "sheer wanton vandalism" (Press Association, Aug. 1). He also says that "whoever did this was extremely reckless," as the dairy is adjacent to a camp site. August
UK: Research facility forced to close
Hill Grove Cat Farm in Oxford closes after a two-year campaign against it by animal rightists. July 10
New Jersey meatpacker bombed into submission
USA: Jersey Cuts, a meatpacking facility in Howell, closes down after being struck twice by ALF. In the second attack, firebombs destroyed three trucks worth $180,000. June 25
Truck firebombed in Florida
USA: A truck belonging to Worldwide Primates, Inc., a primate dealer in Miami, is firebombed. ALF claims guilt. June 10
Cattery owner chained to fence
UK: Animal rightists chain 62-year-old Katherine Brown to a fence and demand that she and her husband close their farm, Hillgrove Farm, in Oxfordhire, Britain's only licensed cattery supplying cats for research. After stealing her cellphone, they abandon her. May 9
Oregon meat company torched
USA: Arsonists torch Childer's Meat Company in Eugene with 20 gallons of diesel fuel/gasoline mixture. Damage is estimated at $150,000. ALF claims guilt. April 24
UCSF labs vandalized
USA: Animal rightists break into three research labs at the University of California at San Francisco, shattering glass, overturning refrigerators, and destroying medical research. April 5
University of Minnesota labs vandalized
USA: Vandalism of neurology laboratories at the University of Minnesota results in $700,000 in damages, and sets back leading research on a cancer vaccine and on a range of neurological diseases, including Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzheimer's. 116 animals are released, mostly mice. Guilt is claimed by ALF. March 27
Circus vehicles firebombed
USA: Six vehicles belonging to Big Apple Circus are destroyed by firebombs in Franklin, New Jersey. ALF claims guilt. 1998 December 26
U.S. Forest Industries torched, Oregon
USA: The Earth Liberation Front claims guilt for an arson attack at the headquarters of US Forest Industries in Medford, causing $500,000 in damages. ELF's claim, disseminated by the Animal Liberation Front, states: "This was done in retribution for all the wild forests and animals lost to feed the wallets of greedy f***s [censored by FCUSA] like Jerry Bramwell, U.S.F.I. president." 2007: Kendall Tankersley convicted. November 29
Arson at horse corral in Oregon
USA: ALF and ELF claim joint guilt for an arson at the Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse Corrals in Burns. November 16
Ranch van firebombed in New Jersey
USA: A van owned by the Leather and Fur Ranch in Manalapan is firebombed by ALF. October 26
5,000 mink released, Michigan
USA: 5,000 mink are released at Tom Pipkorn's Mink Farm near Hermansville. An estimated 500 mink are run over on roads, starve, drown in a swimming pool or disappear. Damage is put at $100,000. Guilt is claimed by the Earth Liberation Front in a statement disseminated by the North American ALF Press Office. (Related story1; Related story 2) October 22
"Freed" mink mowed down by motorists
SWEDEN: 5,700 mink are released from a farm near Vaenersborg. The attack is discovered after a motorist reports a large number of dead mink along a road. ''The driver told me that it was 'like driving through a plowed field','' says Stig Eriksson of the Vaenersborg police to the news agency TT. Two other incidents in Sweden in September saw the release of 3,000 mink in total. In one case, a building had been painted with the letters DBF (the Swedish branch of ALF). October 18
Arsonists "save" Colorado lynx
USA: The Earth Liberation Front claims guilt for seven fires at Vail ski resort. In a press release, ELF says the action is to "save the lynx, which will be killed if expansion [of the resort] is allowed." A planned 885-acre expansion of the resort had been given court approval the week before. In 2007 a court puts restitution damages at $12 million, and total losses and expenses at $24.5 million. 2007: Chelsea Gerlach, Stanislas Meyerhoff sentenced. October 10
Horse pens sabotaged
USA: Would-be saboteurs cut the locks off horse pens at a BLM corral in Rock Springs, Wyoming, freeing about 40 wild horses. Failed incendiaries are found next to a pickup truck and a building. Damages are negligible. Guilt is jointly claimed by the Earth Liberation Front and ALF. October 6
Mass roadkill follows mink release
GERMANY: Animal rightists are suspected of trampling a fence at a farm in Fladderlohausen near Vechta, and releasing 2,500 mink. Many are killed by passing cars, while police say the remainder will be captured or killed by hunters. The farm's owner estimates the damage at 250,000 marks (about $150,000). September 17
Mass mink release in England
UK: The pens of 7,000 mink are opened at the Kelbain Mink Farm in Onneley, England. Of the 2,000 or so that leave the farm's perimeter, most are shot by farmers or die of hunger. September
Bureau of Land Management horses released, Wyoming
USA: Approximately 100 wild horses are released from the Bureau of Land Management's wild horse corrals in Rock Springs. A planned arson on government office buildings and vehicles is scrapped. Guilt is jointly claimed by ALF and the Earth Liberation Front. August 28
Minnesota farm raided
USA: ALF and ELF claim guilt for the release of about 2,800 domesticated mink at Zumbro River Fur Farm in Rochester, Minnesota. (Related story) August 27
Mass mink release in Wisconsin
USA: Vandals cut fencing and release about 3,000 domesticated mink at Brown's Mink Farm in Beloit, Wisconsin. ALF and ELF claim guilt. (Related story) August 20
Iowa mink farm hit
USA: Vandals open the doors of about 700 cages at Isebrands Fur Farm in Jewell, Iowa, releasing 2,500 mink. (Related story) August 20
Iowa fox farm vandalized
USA: Eco-terrorists invade Hidden Valley Fox Farm in Guttenberg, Iowa, opening doors to the cages of about 350 domestically raised foxes. (Related story) August 18
Minnesota fur farm attacked
USA: 2,500 domesticated mink released from Mueller Brothers Mink Ranch in Pearl Lake, Minnesota. (Related story) August 18
Etched graffiti in New Jersey
USA: "MURDER" is etched into the windows of Queen Anne Furs, in Teaneck. Guilt is claimed by the Animal Liberation Front. August 12
Air conditioning vandalism in New Jersey
USA: An air-conditioning unit is damaged at Cedar Lane Furs, in Teaneck. Guilt is claimed by the Animal Liberation Front. August 11
Tire-puncturing devices in New Jersey
USA: Tire-puncturing devices are spread in the parking lot of Steven Corn Furs, in Paramus. Guilt is claimed by the Animal Liberation Front. August 9
Massive mink release alarms conservationists
UK: 6,000 mink are released in Hampshire, England, causing alarm among conservationists fearful for the ecological imbalance this could cause. 1,000 more released days later. (Related story) July 16
Fur shop truck burned in New Jersey
USA: A truck belonging to Steven Corn Furs, in Paramus, is firebombed. Guilt is claimed by the Animal Liberation Front. July 3
Vaccine research facility animals released
USA: The Middleton, Wisconsin-based United Vaccines Research Facility is raided and 171 mink and ferrets are released, of which a dozen perish on a nearby road. Guilt is jointly claimed by ALF and the Earth Liberation Front. (Related story) June 21
Arson of USDA building, Washington
USA: Arsonists attack US Department of Agriculture Animal Damage Control building near Olympia. Damage is put at $1.9 million in lost research, and $400,000 in damage to facilities. Guilt is jointly claimed by ALF and the Earth Liberation Front. May 4
Arson at slaughterhouse in Florida
USA: ALF claims guilt for burning down a veal slaughterhouse in Wimauma, causing $500,000 in damage. February 28
Outdoor shop attacked in Indiana
USA: The Outdoorsman Sport Shop in Indianapolis has its windows broken and is set on fire. ALF slogans are spray-painted at the shop. 1997 November 30
Congressman's office besieged
USA: Cong. Frank Riggs of California finds his office besieged by a group of masked Earth First! terrorists. Staff are threatened, and several thousand dollars worth of damage are caused. November 29
Arson of Horse Corrals, Oregon
USA: Arsonists attack US Bureau of Land Management wild horse corrals 8 miles west of Burns. 400 horses are released, most of which are recaptured. Damage is put at $474,000. Guilt is jointly claimed by the Animal Liberation Front and the Earth Liberation Front. November 23
"Justice Department" Threatens to Poison Turkeys
USA: Animal rightists send letters to media warning that turkeys in supermarkets along the east coast have been contaminated with poison. No evidence of contamination is found. October 25
Mink farm raided in Wisconsin
USA: 301 mink are released from Alex Ott's Fur Farm in Tomahawk before the raiders are scared off. ALF claims guilt. Damage: $99,000. October 25
Mink farm raided in Wisconsin
USA: 3,000 mink are released from Jack Dittrich's Minkery in Medford. ALF claims guilt. Damage: $500,000. October 24
Mink farm raided in Wisconsin
USA: 800 mink are released from Olson's Fur Farm in Independence. ALF claims guilt. Damage: $200,000. October 17
Mink farm raided in Iowa
USA: 4,500 mink and 100 foxes are released from Circle K Fur Farm in Sioux City. All the foxes and all except 1,300 mink are recovered. ALF claims guilt. Damage: $300,000. October 16
Mink farm raided in South Dakota
USA: 2,500 mink are released from Turbak Mink Farm in Watertown. All but 600 are recovered. ALF claims guilt. Damage: $200,000. October 5
Mink farm raided in Illinois
USA: 4,000 mink are released from the Frye Fur Farm in Crystal Lake. ALF claims guilt. Damage: $800,000. September 12
Boys Town Research Center Attacked by ALF
USA: Animal rightists smash the research center's doors and windows with a sledgehammer, and damage a resident's van parked nearby. An activist claiming to be associated with PeTA makes telephone death threats to the staff. September 1
Mink farm raided in Illinois
USA: 4,300 mink are released from the Charles Ide Farm in Downers Grove, all breeding records destroyed. ALF claims guilt. Damage: $100,000. August 26
Meat trucks torched in New Jersey
USA: ALF torches several Jersey Cuts Meat Co. trucks in Howell, destroying three that were valued at $60,000 each. August 19
Pharmaceutical company attacked in Colorado
USA: ALF claims an arson attack on Wildlife Pharmaceuticals in Fort Collins. August 17
Fur store attacked in Illinois
USA: ALFers throw two Molotov cocktails through a Cosmo's Furs window in Morton Grove. August 16
McDonald's burned down in Utah
USA: ALF activists burn a McDonald's restaurant to the ground in West Jordan, causing $400,000 in damage. August 2
Meat trucks damaged in New Jersey
USA: Eight delivery trucks belonging to Lehmann Colorado Meats, in Palisades Park, are damaged. Guilt is claimed by the Animal Liberation Front. July 21
Oregon Horse Slaughter Plant Firebombed
USA: Cavel West Horse Slaughter Plant in Redmond is torched with napalm, causing over $1 million in damage. The blaze is so hot that it threatens a nearby propane storage facility. The entire water supply of Redmond is depleted in the fight to contain the fire, forcing residents to curtail water use. About 100 horses trapped in stalls adjacent to the plant have to be rescued by firefighters. Guilt is claimed by ALF and ELF. July 19
Meat trucks wrecked in New Jersey
USA: Trucks are spray-painted and their tires punctured at Bergen Wholesale Meats, in Hackensack, causing more than $4,000 in damage. Guilt is claimed by the Animal Liberation Front. July 4
Thousands of mink released in Washington
USA: Between 3,000 and 6,000 mink are released from a fur farm near Cle Ellum. The damage is estimated at up to $50,000. ALF and ELF claim guilt. May 30
4,000 Released Mink Die at Oregon Fur Farm
USA: 10,000 mink are released, including nursing mothers and kits. More than 4,000 die, mostly kits not yet weaned which are trampled by activists or savaged by adult mink. The family dog is pepper-sprayed. Economic loss is estimated at $750,000. April 30
Norway: Whaling ship torched
The Senet is set ablaze while berthed near Fredrikstad. Guilt is claimed by a group called "Agenda21". April 20
Mass arrests at University of California demonstration
USA: Thirty-two arrests are made during a 4-hour protest at University of California, Davis, marking the 10th anniversary of a the first ALF arson attack in the US (see April 16, 1987). Protesters focus on John E. Thurman Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the California Regional Primate Research Center. (For details of arrests, see UC Davis press release.) April 19
Family restaurant vandalized in Maryland
USA: A Golden Coral Restaurant about to be opened has its windows smashed and the kitchen walls spray-painted, resulting in $65,000 worth of damage. April 19
Meat truck torched in Indiana
USA: ALF torches an Archer's Meats truck cab in Indianapolis.  March 18
USA: Utah trapping supply store torched
Montgomery Furs, a trapping supply store in Ogden, is torched with the night watchman inside. He confronts the arsonists and they flee. The Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade issues a news release claiming guilt on behalf of ALF.
March 18
USA: Medical research facility torched in California
The "Bay Area Cell of the Earth X ALF" takes credit for setting fire to the University of California, Davis, Center for Comparative Medicine facility, which was still under construction. March 14
USA: Tree-spiking in Oregon
Trees are spiked at the Robinson-Scott timber harvest site in the Mackenzie River watershed, Willamette National Forest. Guilt is jointly claimed by the Animal Liberation Front and the Earth Liberation Front. March 11
USA: Firebombing at Utah Fur Feed Plant (right)
Five pipe bombs explode at the Fur Breeders Agricultural Coop (right), causing nearly $1 million in damage. The bombs are spiked with screws and metal, and were ignited using gasoline and a five-minute fuse. The culprits are arrested and convicted. (More photos) February 15
USA: McDonald's Attacked in Michigan
ALF claims credit for this Troy, Michigan attack, in which McDonald's bathrooms are spray-painted and butyric acid is poured in the seating area of the restaurant. January 15
Meat trucks trashed in Washington
USA: Seven trucks at Meat Distributors in Kirkland have their windshields smashed. ALF claims guilt. January 9
USA: Explosion and Fire at Washington Hunting Outfitter
The Outdoorsman Hunter/Outfitter Shop is destroyed by an explosion and fire. Although no group claims credit, federal authorities suspect ALF. January 4
USA: McDonalds, Arby's, Others Hit in Salt Lake City
More than 20 stores in the Salt Lake City area have their windows shot out or smashed, including Burger King, McDonald's, Arby's and Kentucky Fried Chicken. A trapping supply store and a leather shop are also vandalized, as are several milk trucks. 1996 December 14
USA: Mink Farm Attacked
50 mink are released from a farm in Washington State. Cages are smashed and ALF slogans are left at the property. ALF claims guilt. November 12
USA: Alaskan Furs Torched in Bloomington, Minnesota
A firebomb is thrown through a window of the fur store, resulting in $2 million in damage to the merchandise and $750,000 in damage to the structure. The local fire chief disputes claims by the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT) that no lives were put at risk, noting that the firefighters who responded to the call were certainly in harm's way as they fought to extinguish the blaze. (See photos) October 30
USA: Arson of Forest Service Station, Oregon
Arsonists destroy US Forest Service Oakridge Ranger Station south of Eugene. Damage is put at $5.3 million. Guilt is jointly claimed by the Animal Liberation Front and the Earth Liberation Front. October 27
USA: Arson of Forest Service Truck, Oregon
A pickup truck is torched at the US Forest Service Detroit Ranger Station in Willamette National Forest. A plastic jug rigged as an incendiary device is later found on the roof. It did not go off. Damage is put at $15,000. Guilt is jointly claimed by the Animal Liberation Front and the Earth Liberation Front. October 14
USA: McDonald's vandalized in Oregon
A McDonald's outlet in Eugene has its locks glued, and graffiti spray-painted. Guilt is claimed by the Earth Liberation Front. October 8
USA: Food company trashed in Washington
Honey Bee Hams in Bellevue has seven large windows smashed, and ALF slogans spray-painted on their property. ALF claims guilt. June 12
USA: Mink farm raided
60 mink are stolen from a farm in Washington State and abandoned. Most are recovered. Estimated loss is $7,500. April 2
USA: Egg store burned down in Utah
ALF burns an Egg Products store to the ground in Salt Lake City and damages two of the firm's trucks, causing over $100,000 in damage. 1995 December 24
USA: Incendiary devices planted under trucks in Oregon
ALF plants incendiary devices under three Dutch Girl Ice Cream trucks in Eugene, causing $15,600 in damage. Nov. 14
Mink farm raid
Canada: Trespassers break into Rippin's farm in Aldergrove, BC, and abandon 4,000 mink around the farm. About 550 are lost. ALF claims guilt. The same farm would be attacked again Aug. 24, 2008. June 15
USA: Leather company torched in Utah
ALF torches Tandy Leather in Murray, causing $300,000 in damage. April 24
USA: Unabomber strikes again
Gilbert Murray, director of the California Forestry Association, is killed by a mail bomb in Sacramento, intended for his predecessor, Bill Dennison. "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynsky is convicted. April 14
USA: Incendiary device at meat company in New York
ALF ignites an incendiary device at Oneata Beef Company in Syracuse, causing $6,000 in damage. January
USA: Packing company trucks burned in New York
ALF sets two trucks on fire at the Conti Packing Co. in Henrietta. 1994 December 10
USA: Unabomber kills ad executive
Advertising executive Thomas Mosser is killed by a bomb sent to his North Caldwell, New Jersey home by "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynsky. Mosser was targeted because he had previously worked for PR company Burson-Marsteller that represented Exxon July 31
USA: Logging equipment torched in Washington
A log skidder, two fire trucks and a bulldozer are torched near Olympia, causing $80,000 in damage. On Aug. 9, the Washington Contract Loggers Association's answering machine tape receives a message spoken by a computer-generated robotic voice: "The recent destruction of logging equipment was retaliation by the Earth Firsters to protect the planet earth from logging." July 27
USA: Log loader destroyed in Washington
A log loader belonging to Dave Littlejohn Logging Company, near Olympia, is destroyed by fire. It is valued at more than $200,000. June 3
UK: Letter bomb to chicken farm
Doris Wylie, a secretary at a chicken-rearing plant in Midlothian, Scotland, opens a mail package that explodes, breaking two of her fingers and causing burns to her face, chest, stomach and hand. The device is so powerful that six crates behind her go up in flames. Four other similar devices are sent to meat companies and a transport company, injuring two men. The Justice Department claims guilt. April
USA: Arson at Washington logging company
Arson causes $50,000 in damage to Bill Burgess Logging in Snoqualmie Pass. ELF claims guilt. March
USA: Arson at Washington logging company
Two fires at the Allan Wirkkala Logging Company in Olympia cause $8,000 damage. ELF claims guilt. March
USA: Washington logging company attacked
$10,000 of damage is caused to Tobin Logging in Quinault. ELFclaims guilt. January
Norway: Failed scuttling of whaling ship
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society tries to scuttle the Senet in Gressvik, causing damage. 1993 Nov. 30
UK: Justice Department bombs
London furrier Haydon Noble receives a package in the mail containing a distress flare. His three-year-old daughter suffers cuts to the face, while Haydon and his adult daughter are hospitalized for grazes, burns and shock. The "Justice Department" admits guilt. November
UK: Justice Department bombs
The Justice Department, affiliated to ALF, claims guilt for four parcel bombs. April 2
USA: Dump truck destroyed in Arizona
A dump truck belonging to High Desert Investment Company of Flagstaff is destroyed. A letter left behind says, "This letter is to inform you that your 1977 dump truck was not destroyed by young vandals, it was monkey-wrenched." It was signed, "Coconino Clyde and his merry band of eco-warriors." 1992 December
Norway: Failed scuttling of whaling/fishing ship
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society tries to scuttle the Nybræna in Lofoten Islands, causing considerable damage. February 28
USA: Arson at mink research facility
Rod Coronado and other ALF members set a $1.2 million fire at Michigan State University's mink research facility in East Lansing. February 2
USA: Arson at mink research facility
A facility researching PCB pollution in wild mink in the Great Lakes is attacked at Michigan State University. The toxicology research was aimed at providing a safer environment both for humans and marine life in Lake Huron. ALF member Rodney Coronado pleads guilty and is sentenced to 57 months in prison. Damage to property is estimated at $100,000. UK: Hunt violence escalates
The British Field Sports Society reports 276 incidents of serious and violent disruption at hunts. 1991 December 15
ALFer sets fire to mink facility in Oregon
USA: ALF member Rod Coronado sets fire to a Hynek Malecky facility in Yamhill where mink pelts are dried, causing $96,000 in damage. June 10
Experimental mink farm attacked in Oregon
USA: ALF member Rod Coronado and others break into Oregon State University's experimental mink farm in Corvallis and set timed incendiary devices that cause $62,000 in damage. June
USA: Mink feed facility torched
NW Farm Foods Co-op in Edmonds, Washington, is torched, causing an estimated $500,000 in damage. ALF claims guilt. 1990 June 10
Toddler injured by car bomb
A bomb exploded under the car of Dr. Patrick Headley, a medical science researcher at Bristol University in the UK. Headley escaped injury, but a 13-month-old child, John Cupper, in a pushchair nearby with his father, was badly injured and required surgery. He suffered flash burns, a partially severed finger, and shrapnel wounds to his back. February 8
Veterinary dean murdered
USA: Dr. Hyram Kitchen, dean of the Veterinary School of the University of Tennessee, is shot and killed on his private farm. A month before the incident, police issued an alert that various sources, including mail received by the university, indicated animal rights extremists had threatened to assassinate a veterinary dean within a year. No one was ever arrested and there was no claim of guilt. Suspicion of involvement by animal rights extremists has never been substantiated. 1989 July 4
ALF rampage at Texas university
USA: ALF destroys records and smashes computers and other equipment during a laboratory raid at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. Damage is put at $700,000. April 15
Incendiary devices at meat company in California
USA: ALF sets timed incendiary devices at a meat company in Monterey, where an apparently unexpected early morning crew smell smoke and manage to flee to safety. April 2
Arson at veterans hospital in Arizona
USA: ALF sets fires in a laboratory at a Veterans Administration hospital at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Damage is put at $500,000. UK: University bombed
A bomb is used against Bristol University after allegations that research animals had been mistreated. 1987 November 28
Arson at poultry company in California
USA: The words "ALF" and "murderers" are sprayed on walls at the V. Melani poultry distribution company in Santa Clara. A fire causes $200,000 in damage. September 1
Arson at meat company in California
USA: The Animal Rights Militia, part of ALF, claims an arson fire at the San Jose Valley Veal & Beef Company in Santa Clara. Damage is put at $10,000. May 8
Sawmill worker almost decapitated by spiked tree
USA: George Alexander nearly loses his head when a tree spike shatters his sawblade at Cloverdale Louisiana-Pacific mill, northern California. A 12-foot section of the blade had broken off and hit him in the throat and face, ripping through his mask and cutting into his jugular vein. His jaw was broken in five places and a dozen teeth were knocked out. The blade was wrapped around him, and his co-workers had to blowtorch it off while they tried to keep him from bleeding to death. May
Potato plants uprooted in California
USA: About 3,000 potato plants intended for a Frostban trial are uprooted in Tulelake. (See April 24.) April 24
Strawberries uprooted in California
USA: A biotech company prepares to test a genetically engineered bacteria, trade-named Frostban, on a strawberry patch in Brentwood. The bacteria are expected to reduce frost formation to extend the growing season. On the morning of the trial, most of the strawberry plants are found uprooted. Guilt is claimed by the Strawberry Liberation Front. April 16
Animal lab destroyed in California
USA: Arsonists attack at University of California, Davis, destroying the John E. Thurman Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory then under construction. This was the first arson attack in the US at which ALF graffiti was found. Reconnaisance work and driving was performed by Jonathan Paul. Damage: $5.1 million. (See also April 20, 1997.) UK: ALF founder jailed
Ronnie Lee, founder of the Animal Liberation Front, is jailed for 10 years for conspiracy to commit arson on department stores. 1986 October 26
ALF attacks Oregon laboratory
USA: ALF claims an attack on University of Oregon laboratory in Eugene. Damage is put at nearly $120,000. UK: Medical college trashed
Attackers cause £2 million worth of damage at London Medical College. Iceland: Two whaling ships sunk
SOURCE: HIGH NORTH ALLIANCE: Sea Shepherd claims responsibility for the sinking of two whaling vessels in Reykjavik,, and for malicious damage to the whaling station not far from the town. The act was carried out by two US citizens, including Rodney Corronado. Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson later visited Iceland, in 1988, demanding to be held responsible for the sinking of the two whaling vessels. He is arrested and held for questioning. He realizes that he can risk facing several years imprisonment. In a press release from the Icelandic Ministry of Justice it says: "At questioning Paul Watson has admitted that he has given some remarks that connect him with the sabotage, but in spite of this he now claims that he neither took part in the planning nor the execution of the sabotage." There was no evidence incriminating Watson. He was ordered to leave the country and declared persona non grata in Iceland. Faroe Islands: Activists attack police
SOURCE: HIGH NORTH ALLIANCE: Sea Shepherd Conservation Society activists shoot at Faroese police with a line rifle and try to sink their rubber dinghies. The vessel Sea Shepherd was ordered to leave Faroese territorial waters after attempting to obstruct the Faroese pilot whale harvest. The vessel ignored the order, and Faroese police tried unsuccessfully to board the ship. In the police report of Oct. 7,1986, it says: "One of the rubber dinghies was attacked directly by a so called 'Speed Line' line rifle. The attack is considered to have endangered the lives of the police crew members seriously ... also, signal flares containing phosphorous (a substance which both burns and cauterizes) was thrown at the police. At a later stage the Sea Shepherd used so called 'toads' (i.e. rotating iron spikes, pointed and sharp at both ends), against the rubber dinghies ... petrol was poured over the side of the ship ... whereupon signal flares were thrown from the Sea Shepherd in a miscarried attempt to set the petrol on fire." Sea Shepherd accused the Faroese police of having shot at them with rifles. The police emphasize in their report that they only used tear gas and gas cartridges from shotguns. 1985 April 1
ALF raids laboratory in California
USA: ALF raids laboratory at University of California, Riverside, releasing about 500 animals. Damage is put at $700,000. 1984 December 9
Medical center raided in California
USA: ALF raids City of Hope National Medical Center, causing $400,000 in damage. May
Injury lab raided in Pennsylvania
USA: ALF raids University of Pennsylvania Head Injury Lab in Philadelphia, causing $60,000 in damage. UK: Unilever computers trashed
Raiders hit a Unilever research station and destroy computer equipment. 1982 November 30
Letter bombs sent to political leaders
UK: A letter bomb sent to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher explodes at her Downing Street, London home. The Animal Rights Militia claims guilt. Four more bombs are sent to senior politicians but are intercepted. (Related article) 1981 Spain: Two whaling ships sunk
The Ibsa I and Ibsa II, allegedly engaged in whaling, are sunk in Viga harbor. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society claims guilt. 1980 Portugal: Whaling ship sunk
The whaling ship Sierra is sunk with limpet mines in Lisbon harbor. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society claims guilt.
Click here for 21st-century crimes of animal extremism and eco-terror. Home © 1998-2009 Fur Commission USA |