Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 1/13/12

Animal agriculture organization are beginning to weigh in on the arson attach at Harris Ranch Beef Co. in Coalinga earlier this week. 

"The terrorists who attacked a beef production company in California this week must be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law," California Farm Bureau President Paul Wenger said, in a statement on his group’s website. "We know the local authorities are working hard to find the attackers and we offer our full support."

Wenger also said animal-welfare groups should become involved in helping to resolve the case.
"We encourage animal-welfare organizations to help authorities find those responsible. If they sit by silently while animal rightists attack law-abiding businesses, they are passively endorsing domestic terrorism," Wenger said.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Bill Donald said in a release, “This is not only an attack on a family-owned and operated business; this is a domestic terrorist attack on our nation’s providers of food and fiber. This extremist behavior goes above mere activism and the freedom of speech. These criminals are threatening lives and causing substantial economic harm."

No one was hurt in the fire, which was set between 3:30 and 3:45 a.m. Pacific Time Sunday at the Harris Farms feedlot, although 14 trucks were destroyed. Anonymous animal activists have taken responsibility for the fire; law enforcement is working to identify them.

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