Feb 26, 2008 7:31 pm US/Pacific
Animal Rights Group Attacks UCSC Health Researcher
SANTA CRUZ (CBS 5 / KCBS) ―
A researcher at UC Santa Cruz whose work investigates breast cancer and neurological diseases was attacked at home over the weekend, according to police.
The Santa Cruz Sentinel newspaper reported that the six masked intruders who tried to force their way into the faculty member's home on Sunday were connected to the animal rights group Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty.
Police would not comment on the motive for the attack.
A university spokesman condemned the attacks, telling the San Jose Mercury News that criminal acts that threaten and intimidate do not fall within the range of acceptable ways of expressing dissent and exercising free speech.
The name of the faculty member has not been released, but a member of the researcher's family sustained minor injuries after being struck with an object.
Earlier this month, the university sent out a memo advising faculty and staff to be on guard against intimidation by animal rights activists, including crank phone calls and graffiti.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
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