Mateusz Perkowski
\nJuly 16, 2014 11:30AM
\nCapital Press (The West’s Ag Website)<\/p>\n
Mobile slaughter trucks have again been targeted by animal rights activists. Vandals have apparently damaged more mobile slaughter units in the Northwest, calling it \u201csabotage\u201d in the name of animal rights.<\/p>\n
A\u00a0\u201cchemical abrasive\u201d and bleach were poured\u00a0into the fuel tanks of slaughter trucks owned by Wards Custom Meat Cutting in Battleground, Wash., and Bolar Custom Meat Cutting\u00a0in Castle Rock, Wash., according to anonymous reports on July 14 and 15 in Bite Back, an online magazine that publicizes such incidents.<\/p>\n
The most recent vandalism brings to four the number of four mobile slaughter units hit in the Northwest. In June, two trucks owned by\u00a0slaughter companies\u00a0were similarly damaged in Stayton, Ore., and Hillsboro, Ore.<\/p>\n
In one of the most recent anonymous reports, the vandalism was attributed to ALF \u2014 the Animal Liberation Front \u2014 and was claimed to be part of a \u201cFreedom Summer 2014.\u201d \u201cUntil the last slaughterhouse truck is idled and the last butchers blade is\u00a0snapped,\u201d the report said.<\/p>\n
Terry Ward, owner of slaughter company in Battleground, said his truck began smoking and running terribly after driving about 15 miles on July 15. The truck\u00a0will be\u00a0towed to a mechanic for repairs, he said. \u201cThey\u2019re not going to put me out of business.\u201d<\/p>\n
Capital Press was unable to reach the slaughter company in Castle Rock.<\/p>\n
Chris Shoe, owner of\u00a0the Stayton slaughter company that was targeted in June, said he was contacted by the Department of Homeland Security, which is treating the incidents as domestic terrorism. Capital Press was unable to get a comment from the agency as of press time.<\/p>\n
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has also been involved and encourages people to call their local FBI office if they have any information. \u201cWe are aware of the various incidents and are checking into them,\u201d an FBI spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
Jerry Haun, executive secretary of the Northwest Meat Processors Association, said he will ask state authorities to alert licensed mobile slaughter companies about the vandalism. \u201cWe\u2019re pretty vulnerable,\u201d he said. \u201cMost of us are in small towns or semi-rural.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mateusz Perkowski July 16, 2014 11:30AM Capital Press (The West’s Ag Website) Mobile slaughter trucks have again been targeted by animal rights activists. Vandals have apparently damaged more mobile slaughter units in the Northwest, calling it \u201csabotage\u201d in the name of animal rights. A\u00a0\u201cchemical abrasive\u201d and bleach were poured\u00a0into the fuel tanks of slaughter trucks … <\/p>\n