Posted on 08/23/2005 5:13:23 AM PDT by aculeus
A farm is to stop breeding guinea pigs for medical research after years of intimidation by animal rights activists.
The family-run Darley Oaks Farm in Newchurch, Staffordshire, has been at the centre of a campaign of abuse.
Owners and staff have received death threats during the six-year onslaught.
The family said they hoped the decision would prompt the return of the body of their relative Gladys Hammond, whose remains were stolen from a churchyard.
The remains were taken from her grave in nearby Yoxall in October.
Mrs Hammond, who was buried in St Peter's churchyard seven years ago, was the mother-in-law of Christopher Hall, part-owner of the farm.
The Hall family have also been subjected to hate mail, malicious phone calls, hoax bombs and arson attacks.
A spokeswoman for the business, David Hall and Partners, confirmed the site was to stop breeding the animals.
In a statement, the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI ) expressed its best wishes to the Hall family and said their decision was "regrettable but understandable".
Director of the ABPI Philip Wright said guinea pigs had been essential in research into respiratory disease resulting in breakthroughs in the development of new medicines.
"The activities of a few animal rights extremists have placed impossible pressure on those going about their legitimate business," he said.
"While animal rights extremists are likely to be only one factor in the final decision, it does underline the need for greater protection of those individuals and companies targeted and committed long-term resources from the government to back up the recently-introduced legislation."
Rod Harvey supplied fuel to the farm and endured four years of abuse from activists before he was forced to cease trading with the farm.
The 63-year-old businessman said he received threatening letters, including one accusing him of being a paedophile which was then sent to a number of people he knew.
Bricks were also thrown through his window on a number of occasions.
"In December 2003 a brick came through the window of my front door, hitting my foot and cutting my hand," he said.
"My son and his partner had just had a son and I was worried they would be the next target so I stopped trading.
"In view of what they (the Hall family) and their staff have had to put up with I'm not surprised that they have stopped breeding guniea pigs.
"I just feel so angry that these animal rights activists have won."
Rub the cuys with a mix of the pepper, salt, pepper and cumin and bake. You can also skewer over a barbeque.
Prepare a sauce with the oil, peppers, garlic and cornmeal with the water from the potatoes or broth. Cook a few minutes until the peppers are cooked. When tender, place the meat in a serving dish and spoon the sauce over it. Serve with the boiled potatoes
these jerks need to be put down. in the gravest extreme.
Too sad for words. A once great Empire's people broken, cowed, and humbled by whimpering whackos.
Domestic terrorists.
I heard about a guy who started a worm farm (fish bait) on his property....but it backfired on him. He was killed in the ugliest stampede you could imagine..
Thanks for this story, as a guinea pig owner, I do not approve of the actions of these extremist wacko's behavior. Where did Common Sense go?
The animal rights activists can volunteer to take the place of the guinea pigs in medical research - a win-win scenario!!
From the article:
"The family said they hoped the decision would prompt the return of the body of their relative Gladys Hammond, whose remains were stolen from a churchyard.
The remains were taken from her grave in nearby Yoxall in October.
Mrs Hammond, who was buried in St Peter's churchyard seven years ago, was the mother-in-law of Christopher Hall, part-owner of the farm."
How low do these morons have to go?
Cindy-is-not-the- lowest-activist-on-the-planet ping.
guinea pig recipe ping
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