Huntingdon Sues Animal Activists
HUNTINGDON LIFE SCIENCES PRESS RELEASE, APRIL 19, 2001
Huntingdon Sues Animal Activists
Huntingdon Life Sciences Group plc announced today that its US subsidiary, Huntingdon Life Sciences Inc., has joined in the filing of an Amended Complaint in a lawsuit against various animal rights organizations and affiliated individuals in response to the defendants’ unlawful campaign of violence, intimidation, and harassment directed at the Company and Stephens Group of Little Rock Arkansas, one of the Company’s significant shareholders. The action, pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, was originally filed by Stephens Group, and its wholly owned investment banking subsidiary, Stephens Inc.
The Amended Complaint asserts claims under the Civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Statute (“RICO”) of the United States and the State of New Jersey and cited conduct including physical attacks on individual employees, death threats, bomb threats, destruction of property, burglary, harassment and intimidation. The Amended Complaint also asserts claims for interference with contractual relations and economic advantage.
The complaint names as defendants Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC), Voices for Animals, Animal Defense League, In Defense of Animals, and certain individuals. The suit requests injunctive relief to stop the defendants and those acting in concert with them from engaging in acts and threats of force, violence and intimidation directed at the Company, Stephens, and their respective employees, customers, shareholders and investors. It also seeks an award of monetary damages for losses incurred as a result of the defendants’ unlawful conduct.
Huntingdon’s Executive Chairman, Andrew Baker, stated: “This suit represents a next step in the Company’s initiatives to reign in the campaign of a small band of animal rights extremists who are seeking to destroy our Company and undermine the fields of scientific discovery which rely on the Company’s crucial work. Unlike the activists, who defy the law to terrorize people and entities to bow to their demands, we will seek proper redress in the US legal system.” Brian Cass, Huntingdon’s Managing Director, said “Many of our stakeholders have been subject to appalling threats and intimidation from these extremists and firm action now needs to be taken. The defendants are involved in a campaign not just aimed at Huntingdon but at all scientific animal research. However, we are the primary target today and we intend to show that we shall not merely cave in to their onslaught. For the benefit of all of us, this campaign of violence and intimidation of individuals, often at their homes, must be stopped. We and our clients and fellow researchers everywhere must be allowed to go about our crucial, and lawful endeavors free from fear.”
Cass added: “This lawsuit sends a powerful message that Huntingdon is standing up for its right to conduct its lawful and socially vital business. We greatly appreciate the support shown by our employees, customers, service providers and shareholders, as well as those in government, law enforcement, and the media. This lawsuit states unequivocally that no one has the right to replace dialogue and debate with extortion and terrorism.”
HLS filed a similar RICO lawsuit in 1997 against People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and certain affiliated individuals. That lawsuit resulted in the defendants entering into a settlement agreement in which they agreed to give up their campaign against Huntingdon Life Sciences Inc.
Huntingdon Life Sciences Group plc is one of the world’s leading Contract Research Organizations providing product development services to the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and biotechnology industries. Huntingdon brings leading technology and capability to support its clients in non-clinical safety testing of new compounds in early stage development and assessment. Huntingdon operates research facilities in the United Kingdom (Huntingdon and Eye, England) and the United States (The Princeton Research Center, New Jersey).
This announcement contains statements that may be forward-looking as defined by the USA’s Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based largely on Huntingdon’s expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Huntingdon’s control, as more fully described in Huntingdon’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, as filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
See also:
A Domino Too Far; UK Government Tells Animal Rightists “Enough Is Enough” FCUSA commentary on fur farming ban, fox hunting, and Huntingdon Life Sciences. (Apr. 12, 2001)
Wisconsin Joins Oregon in Attacking Eco-Terror with RICO Statutes FCUSA press release, Mar. 24, 2000.
Second RICO Suit Filed Against Fur Protesters FCUSA press release, Mar. 24, 2000. (Aug. 8, 1999)
Furrier Files RICO Suit Philadelphia furrier seeks protection from racketeers (July 6, 1999)
For further information contact: Huntingdon Life Sciences Group plc, Richard Michaelson. Phone: UK: +44 (0) 1480 892194; US: (201) 525-1819; HuntingdonLS@aol.com
