PORTLAND, Ore. -- A Portland furrier who said he was hounded out of his downtown Portland location by animal rights activists has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against three national animal rights groups.

KGW photo

A sign that was posted on a window inside the Schumachers store.

Schumacher Furs filed the lawsuit against In Defense of Animals and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, both prominent national groups in the animal rights movement.

It charges them with a vulgar pattern of harassment that included public nudity, insults, obscene gestures and threats of physical harm. The protests at the store began in late 2005.

The Schumachers also accuse Portland police of failing to provide the protection they offer to other businesses.

On Monday, owner Gregg Schumacher announced the legal action.

"We've had enough of it not just from a financial standpoint but from an emotional and psychological standpoint not just for me but for our employees and our customer base," he said.

It also names the Animal Liberation Front, which the FBI calls a domestic terrorist organization.

The 112-year-old business tried to relocate in the suburbs but closed for good after it could not reach lease agreement with suburban mall managers.

Schumacher said an injunction against protesters would allow them to finish the going-out-of-business sale.

No dollar amount was determined.