Animal rights group says it stole hens from Utah County farm

Janice Peterson
Daily Herald (Utah)
April 6, 2010

SPANISH FORK -- Animal rights activists claim they have "liberated" dozens of hens from a Utah County egg farm, but authorities say they are not so sure.

Utah County Sheriff's Lt. Mike Brower said police were called Monday morning on a report of stolen hens. He said Bud Shepherd and Sons Poultry near Spanish Fork received an e-mail from the Animal Liberation Front, claiming to have stolen the animals overnight on April 1 and April 2.

Officers responded to the farm, but workers could not find anything out of place. He said nothing appeared to be tampered with, and all the cages were still closed from before the weekend.

"They cannot verify that any chickens were released," he said.

Though authorities could not determine whether any chickens were taken, Brower said the sheriff's office will be stepping up patrols near the farm. Federal officials have also been advised of the situation because any violation could go into federal territory.

According to a press release from the Animal Liberation Front, the press office received an "anonymous communique" from an underground group claiming to have released 72 chickens. The hens were being transferred to a "better place," according to the release.

Jerry Vlasak, a press officer for the North American Animal Liberation Press Office, said the office receives notifications from underground organizations periodically alleging action was taken to "liberate" animals. He said although the farm did not confirm any hens were taken, he could not think of any claims that were unfounded. He said the "animal liberation underground" is not in the habit of making false claims.

Vlasak said egg farms often have tens of thousands of chickens, so he was not surprised Shepherd did not know of 72 missing hens. He also said they may be denying the thefts to avoid negative publicity.

"Usually, these people are sort of loathe to admit that something happened," he said.

Although 72 chickens is a small amount compared to the number housed at farms across the country, Vlasak said it is a significant number to those chickens that were taken. He also said he hopes there will be greater publicity to show the conditions chickens live in, and maybe people will stop eating eggs.

"I think there's some hope that the message will be spread further," he said.

Although taking the chickens, and other mink thefts performed by the groups, is illegal, Vlasak said he doubts any of the "underground" activists are afraid to break the law. He compared them to members of the Underground Railroad, who worked to free slaves in the 1800s.

"There's no concern whatsoever, because when the law is wrong, it needs to be broken," he said.