12/08/2007

Associated Press

Animal Liberation Front activists claimed responsibility Friday for a vandalism attack on an Oregon Health & Science University medical researcher.

In a communique the ALF office in California said was received anonymously, the activists said they targeted the cars of Dr. Miles Novy with graffiti and paint stripper at his home.

Novy, who participates in clinical research on animals as well as medical care of patients, woke up Thursday morning and discovered the word "sadist" spray-painted on one of his cars, and another painted with the letters "A.L.F."

The animal rights organization opposes research being done at OHSU's National Primate Research Center, which it says is cruel and inhumane. The communique accused Novy of "senseless torture" of monkeys.

It was the second time an OHSU scientist's home has been targeted by animal rights activists in the past few months.

The home and car of Dr. Eliot Spindel were vandalized in late July. The words "ALF Eyes on You" were painted on the researcher's garage door. An anonymous message threatening to firebomb the scientist's home was latter issued.

OHSU officials say the latest attack follows three years of harassment at scientists' homes by masked protesters who have screamed things such as, "We know where you sleep at night."

Dr. Michael Conn, associate director of the primate center, said OHSU scientists will "not be deterred by these cowardly attacks that take place in the dark of night and are aimed at frightening scientists, their families and their neighbors."

"We wholeheartedly support the right of activists to protest peacefully and lobby lawmakers when they have concerns," Conn said in a statement. "However, fear tactics, stalking and targeting families have no place here."