Fur dealers under attack

Stein Phillip Thoresen has often had his fur shop's windows broken in Oslo. PHOTO: INGAR STORFJELL

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It's important that the police track down who's behind these attacks," Live Kleveland, legal adviser to the Animal Rights Alliance (Dyrevernalliansen) told newspaper Aftenposten. "They are animal terrorists, and not animal protectors."

For months, fur dealers like Stein Phillip Thoresen in Oslo have dealt with attempted break-ins, smashed windows and other forms of vandalism. His shop, Atelier Henry Phillip, has been a constant target as has his home and even his car.

He's not alone. Other clothing stores selling fur coats and accessories are frequent targets as well. Since 2003, more than 150 attacks have been reported to police.

The police, however, haven't made any arrests and Thoresen is getting desperate. Unless the "animal terrorists" are caught soon, he'll likely quit the business, which probably is exactly what those behind the attacks want him to do.

Johan Fredriksen of the Oslo Police District admits that the vandalism against fur dealers hasn't been a priority, but he promises it will get more attention. "We see that the fur industry's interests need to be better protected," he said, adding that the vandals mustn't be allowed to succeed through illegal actions.

Now the animal rights activists like Kleveland are coming out against groups like the Animal Liberation Front themselves. They worry that the violence and vandalism hurts more than helps their battle against the fur industry.

"Attacks on individuals violate our beliefs," Kleveland told Aftenposten. "It's possible to be fond of animals without being a terrorist."

Her goal is to get rid of fur farms in Norway, but not through illegal actions

"It doesn't help the mink or fox to be released from their cages and sent to certain death," she said. "And bullying and harassment is something we absolutely don't want to be associated with."