Crisis Planning to Manage Risks Posed by Animal Rights Extremists Matthew R. Bailey, Barbara A. Rich, and B. Taylor Bennett Abstract Introduction Among the multitude of crises that US research institutions Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ilarjournal/article/51/2/138/648019 by guest on 27 September 2021 may face are those caused by animal rights activists. While most activists opposed to animal research use peaceful and I magine that lawful means of expressing their opinions, some extremists resort to illegal methods. Arson, break-ins, and theft with • An ABC TV national news producer is on the phone. She signifi cant property damage at US animal research facilities says that Nightline is devoting tomorrow night’s show began in the 1980s. The most troubling trend to develop in to research animal “abuse.” Video taken at your facility the past decade is the targeting of individuals associated during the past 9 months by an “undercover investigator” with animal research, whether directly or indirectly, and the will be featured. The caller asks, “Do you have any com- use of violent scare tactics to intimidate researchers and ments?” Or… their families. The National Association for Biomedical Re- • A break-in was discovered early this morning at the re- search has a 30-year history of monitoring the animal rights search facility where you work. Hundreds of mice and movement and assisting member institutions with crisis rats were stolen. Dozens of computers were smashed. situations. In this article we discuss attacks on researchers Laboratory equipment and research fi les were destroyed. at their homes, cyber crimes, exploitation of new media for- Hazardous chemicals were dumped in offi ces and hall- mats, infi ltration of research facilities, and the targeting ways. “ALF” is spray-painted on the walls. The building of external research stakeholders and business partners. We is closed indefi nitely and the fate of your research ani- describe the need for a well-conceived crisis management mals and data is unknown. Or… plan and strong leadership to mitigate crisis situations. In- • It’s 2:00 AM. You and your family are at home sleeping. stitutions with well-informed leaders and crisis manage- A loud noise awakens you and you hear people running ment teams ready to take timely action are best equipped to from the yard. Rushing downstairs, you see a fi re on the protect staff, laboratory animals, and research programs. front porch as smoke begins to fi ll the house. Animal They act on early warnings, provide support for targeted rights protesters have been demonstrating in the neigh- staff, seek legal remedies, thoughtfully control access to re- borhood for several weeks, shouting through a bullhorn search facilities, and identify and enlist new research sup- that you are an animal killer and must pay for what you porters. We underscore the importance of up-to-date crisis do. Have they just acted on their threats? planning so that institutions are not only aware of ongoing risks posed by animal rights extremists but also better pre- These scenarios are based on real events that occurred in pared to take preemptive action and able to manage those the recent past. Regrettably, however, the threats posed by risks successfully. animal rights (AR1) supporters have been a fact of life for so long (Rudacille 2000) that many in the biomedical research Key Words: animal research; animal rights; crisis manage- community have become complacent. If no serious incident ment; crisis planning; extremists; infi ltration; laboratory has affected them or if they believe their nightmare is over, animals research institutions and staff may think that animal rights extremism can be ignored. And with other urgent challenges facing both academia and industry and with the economy so seriously strained, such a desire is understandable. But failure to prepare for and respond promptly to AR Matthew R. Bailey, BA, is Vice President of the National Association for extremist activities can have signifi cant consequences: di- Biomedical Research, Washington DC. Barbara A. Rich, BS, is an animal version of time and money away from research and animal research advocate and former NABR staff member. B. Taylor Bennett, care, long-term damage to reputations, political interference DVM, PhD, DACLAM, is NABR’s Senior Scientifi c Advisor, based in Hinsdale, Illinois. with the scientifi c process, loss of community support and Address correspondence and reprint requests to Mr. Matthew R. Bailey, Vice President, National Association for Biomedical Research, 818 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 900, Washington DC 20006, or email [email protected]. 1Abbreviation used in this article: AR, animal rights 138 ILAR Journal Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ilarjournal/article/51/2/138/648019 by guest on 27 September 2021 Figure 1 US map of reported illegal incidents committed by animal rights and environmental extremists, 1997 to June 2009 (total for period by state). Based on data compiled by the Foundation for Biomedical Research. Map and further details about incidents by state avail- able at www.fbresearch.org/Media/Illegal Incidents. fi nancial resources, and forgone research benefi ts or delays Troubling Trends in Animal Rights in medical progress. Furthermore, given the increased use of Extremist Activities violent tactics by some extremists, being ill-prepared for an AR crisis could jeopardize the personal safety of people in- For 30 years, the National Association for Biomedical Research volved with animal research and their families. Possible (NABR) has monitored the evolution and escalation of extremist long-term impacts include erosion of staff morale, diffi cul- tactics while assisting member institutions with crisis prevention ties with personnel recruitment, and a decline in the number and management. Anyone involved with animal research faces of young people choosing animal research–related careers. some degree of risk and can become a target of extremists. As Those who oppose animal research can use any number of shown in a US map of reported illegal incidents committed by lawful methods to express their opinion or to protest the work of animal and environmental extremists (Figure 1),2 most states scientists and research institutions. Peaceful demonstrations, have seen some type of such activity (e.g., arson, break-ins, theft, requests for information via legal channels, letters, and the re- fi rebombing, property damage, and other forms of harassment). sulting media interest can be time-consuming and inconvenient For its work with a broad coalition of affected industries for those who must respond but need not turn into a full-blown on passage of federal legislation to address increasing AR crisis. In fact, when handled well, such attention can be an op- crimes (AEPA 1992; AETA 2006), NABR relied on a listing portunity to educate the public about the benefi ts of humane of all known illegal incidents committed by both animal and animal research. Even crises such as those described above can environmental extremists at research facilities and other pro- provide a platform for positive public education. test targets (FBR 2009).3 To assist the biomedical research Rather than outlining the many methods for capitalizing on educational opportunities, in this article we describe AR activities that may become a crisis if not anticipated and 2According to law enforcement agencies, incidents of this type tend to be handled appropriately. Our purpose is to underscore the im- underreported. portance of up-to-date crisis management planning based on 3Federal law enforcement experts believe that animal and environmental a knowledgeable, realistic assessment of risks. terrorists are related (Jarboe 2002). Volume 51, Number 2 2010 139 Table 1 Major crimesa committed by animal rights and ecoterrorists at US research facilities,b 1998 to 2009c Date Location Type Details Estimated damages 6/1998 USDA research Arson Animal Liberation Front (ALF) and Earth $400,000; no injuries. site, Seattle Liberation Front (ELF) set fi res at two animal research buildings. 4/1999 UCSF Break-in, theft, Unknown extremists broke into three research Thousands of dollars San Francisco and property laboratories. Research animals were stolen, estimated; no injuries. destruction glass and equipment shattered, research destroyed. In addition, a group entered another facility and confronted a researcher during World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ilarjournal/article/51/2/138/648019 by guest on 27 September 2021 (WLALW); three activists arrested. 4/1999 U. of Minnesota Break-in, theft, Lyons Research Building broken into during Over $2 million; no Minneapolis and property WLALW; extensive damage to equipment, injuries. destruction computers, video tape, and research data. Research animals involved in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease studies were stolen. 10/1999 Various Razor blade Group calling itself “The Justice Department” No injuries reported. mailings gives Internet warning that 80 packages booby-trapped with razor blades were mailed to researchers working with nonhuman primates. Seven such envelopes were received by research institutions. 10/1999 Western Break-in, WWU laboratories were broken into by ALF, Tens of thousands of Washington U. theft, and research animals are stolen, muriatic acid dollars estimated; no Bellingham vandalism dumped in offi ces, and experiments destroyed. injuries. 12/1999 Michigan State U. Arson ELF set fi re at MSU Agriculture Hall on New Over $1 million; no East Lansing Year’s Eve. Blaze destroyed signifi cant injuries. property and years of research on genetically engineered crops. 2/2000 B&K Universal Bombing ALF took responsibility for placing four Several trucks Fremont, CA incendiary devices at warehouse of an animal damaged. research products supplier. 3/2001 University of Idaho Property ELF spray-painted biotechnology building and $21,000; no injuries. Moscow destruction destroyed property. 5/2001 U. of Washington Arson ELF set fi re at Center for Urban Horticulture to $5 million; no injuries.