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23/08/2005
Guinea pig farm closes following intimidation
A farm, which was targeted by animal rights extremists for six years, has announced that it is to stop breeding guinea pigs for medical research.
The Darley Oaks Farm in Newchurch, Staffordshire, which is run by David Hall and Partners, announced on Tuesday that it would cease breeding guinea pigs by the end of December and concentrate on ‘traditional farming’.
The Hall family and employees at the farm have been subjected to a six-year hate campaign by animal rights extremists. The abuse included arson attacks, hate mail, malicious phone calls and the cutting of electricity and phone lines.
The hate campaign reached its climax last October, when the body of a Hall family member, Gladys Hammond, was stolen from a graveyard in nearby Yoxall.
Mrs Hammond, 82, was the mother-in-law of Christopher Hall, the co-owner of Darley Oaks, along with his brother John.
The Hall family released a statement announcing the closure of the guinea pig breeding facility on Tuesday. It said: “David Hall and Partners’ involvement in breeding guinea pigs for biomedical research will cease at the end of 2005.
“The business, which has operated for over three decades, will undergo a phased closure until then to ensure the welfare of animals involved.
“The business has continued during a sustained protest from animal rights extremists for six years, which included the desecration of the grave of Gladys Hammond last October.
“We now hope that, as a result of this announcement, those responsible for removing Gladys’ body will return her so she can lie once again in her rightful resting place.”
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry said that the guinea pigs had been essential in research into respiratory disease, which had resulted in the development of new medicines. The association urged the government to do more to protect companies from intimidation from extremists. Philip Wright, ABPI’s Director of Science and Technology said: “The activities of a few animal rights extremists have placed impossible pressure on those going about their legitimate business.”
(KMcA/GB)
The Darley Oaks Farm in Newchurch, Staffordshire, which is run by David Hall and Partners, announced on Tuesday that it would cease breeding guinea pigs by the end of December and concentrate on ‘traditional farming’.
The Hall family and employees at the farm have been subjected to a six-year hate campaign by animal rights extremists. The abuse included arson attacks, hate mail, malicious phone calls and the cutting of electricity and phone lines.
The hate campaign reached its climax last October, when the body of a Hall family member, Gladys Hammond, was stolen from a graveyard in nearby Yoxall.
Mrs Hammond, 82, was the mother-in-law of Christopher Hall, the co-owner of Darley Oaks, along with his brother John.
The Hall family released a statement announcing the closure of the guinea pig breeding facility on Tuesday. It said: “David Hall and Partners’ involvement in breeding guinea pigs for biomedical research will cease at the end of 2005.
“The business, which has operated for over three decades, will undergo a phased closure until then to ensure the welfare of animals involved.
“The business has continued during a sustained protest from animal rights extremists for six years, which included the desecration of the grave of Gladys Hammond last October.
“We now hope that, as a result of this announcement, those responsible for removing Gladys’ body will return her so she can lie once again in her rightful resting place.”
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry said that the guinea pigs had been essential in research into respiratory disease, which had resulted in the development of new medicines. The association urged the government to do more to protect companies from intimidation from extremists. Philip Wright, ABPI’s Director of Science and Technology said: “The activities of a few animal rights extremists have placed impossible pressure on those going about their legitimate business.”
(KMcA/GB)
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12 May 2006
Animal rights graverobbers sentenced to 40 years
Four animal rights activists who pleaded guilty to conducting a terror campaign against a family of Staffordshire guinea pig breeders have been jailed for a total of 40 years. Their campaign against the Hall family gained widespread notoriety with the desecration of a family grave and the theft of the remains of grandmother Gladys Hammond in 2004.
Animal rights graverobbers sentenced to 40 years
Four animal rights activists who pleaded guilty to conducting a terror campaign against a family of Staffordshire guinea pig breeders have been jailed for a total of 40 years. Their campaign against the Hall family gained widespread notoriety with the desecration of a family grave and the theft of the remains of grandmother Gladys Hammond in 2004.
31 January 2005
Government crackdown on animal rights extremists
Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, has announced a series of tough new measures to deal with animal rights extremists who intimidate businesses.
Government crackdown on animal rights extremists
Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, has announced a series of tough new measures to deal with animal rights extremists who intimidate businesses.
04 May 2006
Grave theft body identified
Remains found by officers in woodland near Hednesford yesterday have been confirmed as those of pensioner whose body was stolen by animal rights activists. The body of Gladys Hammond was stolen from her grave by animal rights activists in 2004.
Grave theft body identified
Remains found by officers in woodland near Hednesford yesterday have been confirmed as those of pensioner whose body was stolen by animal rights activists. The body of Gladys Hammond was stolen from her grave by animal rights activists in 2004.
03 May 2006
Police discover remains in grave desecration case
Police investigating the desecration of the grave of Gladys Hammond have found human remains. Staffordshire Police said that the remains of a human body had been discovered on Cannock Chase, close to the German War Cemetery at Broadhurst Green, near Hednesford, yesterday afternoon.
Police discover remains in grave desecration case
Police investigating the desecration of the grave of Gladys Hammond have found human remains. Staffordshire Police said that the remains of a human body had been discovered on Cannock Chase, close to the German War Cemetery at Broadhurst Green, near Hednesford, yesterday afternoon.
31 May 2006
Pensioner's remains reburied
The body of a pensioner whose remains were dug up and stolen by animal activists have finally been reburied. The body of Gladys Hammond was finally returned to her original grave at St Peter's Church in Yoxall, Staffordshire, where she was originally buried on May 28, 1997.
Pensioner's remains reburied
The body of a pensioner whose remains were dug up and stolen by animal activists have finally been reburied. The body of Gladys Hammond was finally returned to her original grave at St Peter's Church in Yoxall, Staffordshire, where she was originally buried on May 28, 1997.
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