7:47 PM | March 9, 2009
Los Angeles Times
The FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking into the firebombing of a vehicle owned by a UCLA neuroscientist who was targeted by an anti-animal research group for using primates in his study of psychiatric disorders.
The March 7 incident involving a homemade incendiary device took place outside the faculty member's home and caused no injuries, according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.
The UCLA professor, who researches treatments for schizophrenia, drug addiction and other disorders, was not identified.
The firebombing is one in a series string of aggressive acts aimed at university researchers who use animals in medical studies, research, said UCLA spokesman Phil Hampton? said. In other cases, firebombs have been left on doorsteps, homes and vehicles have been vandalized, and researchers have received threatening phone calls and e-mails.
The harassment led to a court order last year that . That has since been converted into a preliminary injunction banning the that prohibits distribution of researchers' personal information on websites and fliers.
Eimiller said the investigation of last Saturday's incident will be conducted by a Joint Terrorism Task Force that includes the FBI, the LAPD, the Los Angeles Fire Department, the UCLA Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives.
The loosely organized animal rights group Animal Liberation Front posted a message on its website Monday from a group that claimed responsibility for the firebombing.
UCLA is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the incident.
--Julie Cart
