The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person or people responsible for setting firebombs on a porch and in a car belonging to two University of California, Santa Cruz researchers in separate incidents early Saturday.
"One cannot claim to be an animal protection advocate and threaten violence against other people, even if we disagree with what they are doing," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "This behavior is antithetical to the core principles of the humane movement."
The HSUS has repeatedly and publicly criticized individuals who break the law in the name of supposedly protecting animals. This conduct by a relative handful of individuals is reviled by mainstream advocates of animal protection.
"To achieve change, we must work through the system and not resort to counterproductive and ethically repugnant tactics in pursuit of our goals," added Pacelle. "We ask people to adhere to a code of conduct in how they treat animals, and we should be prepared to adhere to a civil code of conduct ourselves."
Readers who would like to view our statement on nonviolence, or find out how they can help animals in meaningful ways, can visit our web site at humanesociety.org.
Anyone with information about the incident may call police investigators at 831-420-5820. To leave anonymous information regarding the incidents, call the tip line at 831-420-5995.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty – On the web at humanesociety.org.
