The Hillgrove Campaign #12

The Hillgrove Campaign Newsletter

No. 12

0121 632 6460

10,000 Copi es Printed

SAVE THE HILLGROVE CATS, BOX CB, 111 MAGDALEN RD, OXFORD, OX4 IRQ

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SAVE THE · HILLGROVE CATS

CLOSE DOWN DEVIL BROWN

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WORLD

What a day ! World Day for Laboratory Animals 1999 drew crowds from around Britain and Europe. Never before has there been a demo of this size at Hillgrove. People shouted and whistled for nearly five hours.

Brown must have heard it all.

To kick off the demo there were five speakers - Andrew Tyler (Animal Aid), Chris lies (undercover lab investigator), Celia Hammond (cat rescue), Toni (PeTA) and Greg (Save the Hillgrove Cats). All five were excellent and inspirational.

Thousands of people with banners and determination marched down Dry Lane towards Hillgrove Farm. This was a magnificent sight - a huge sea of people all there for the same reason, to destroy Hillgrove Farm and save the cats.

There were hundreds of police officers deployed to ensure that there was no repeat of World Day '98.

The crowd soon found they were hemme d-in by police and a small metal fence and they were having none of it so they turned back towards the Burford Rd. The police tried desperately to hold people in so the fence was

DAY 199 9

knocked down and the crowd started to stream across Brown's field in the direction of Witney.

Others tried a different tactic and made their way towards Crawley and across the fields to the back of Hillgrove Farm. About 300 people shouted at Brown just outside his house and the othe rs all marched on Witney. About 2,000 buoyant and extreme ly noisy demonstrators marched into Witney town centre and the locals had a sharp reminder that this

and appropriately laid wreaths for lab animals outside Boots.

The crowd, as always, consisted of a mixture of ages and professions - all decent, compassionate, caring human beings who have realised that to chang e the lives of exploited animals they have to do something, they have to be there, and they have to make themselves heard loud and clear.

When Hillgrove Farm does close

campaign goes on and on and grows in strength until Brown ceases his evil trade. Shops were forced to close and again Witney traders lost thousands of pounds in lost business due to Brown being on their doorstep.

The crowd sat down in the road

it will be down to you and your hard work.

See you on June 12th for an even bigger demonstration than the last one. If everyone brings a friend we will double our numbers !

IF NOT YOU, WHO? IF NOT NOW,WHEN?

Welcome to the 12th issue of the Hillgrove Campaign newsletter. If you are one of the 7,000 people who receive the newsletter through the post then you will know all about Hillgrove Farm and the cruelty associated with it. If, on the other hand you have picked this up on a stall or been given it by a friend you may wonder what all the fuss is about. Well, here is a brief explanation: Hillgrove Farm is the only commercial breeder of cats and kittens for the vivisection industry. Hidden off Dry Lane, Witney, Oxon, Hillgrove has 1,000 cats at any one time, kept in windowless sheds at the back of the farm. Hillgrove is owned by Christopher Brown and his wife r - - - - - .- - - - - - - - - - - - -."'."' - -:- - - • Katherine (Tel. 01993 70 3120 ). :□ I would hke to be added to the mailing hst : All the kittens are tattooed with pliers at just a few weeks old ,Name ............. ..................................... 1 and are then sold to labs world-wide at just 6 weeks old :Address ......................... ..................... : where they will under go horrific experiments.

1 1 Save the Hillgrove Cats formed in September 1997. The •· · · .... · · · · · · · · · · · · · .... · .... · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · • I I campaign grew out of the Consort Beagle Campaign.

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Consort bred Beagles at Harewood End, Ross-on-Wye and ,Postcode ................................. ............ 1 had been doing so for 20 years. The Consort Beagle • - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - • Campaign ran a vigorous campaign against the place and on 7th July 1997 Consort sent a fax to Central TV saying they had had enough and were ceasing their evil trade in Beagles . Over 200 Beagles were successfully rehomed. Immediately after the closure of Consort Kennels the activists involved formed Save the Hillgrove Cats with the intention of closing down Hillgrove Farm.

The Save the Hillgrove Cats mailing list has 7,000 members on it and is growing daily. If you want to help the Hillgrove cats and receive the regular newsletter please fill in the form above and send it to us at: Box CB,

111 Magdalen Rd, Oxford OX4 1RQ.

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WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP THE HILLGROVE CATS? This is one of the most frequent questions we are asked.

In this issue we have assignedfour pages to let you knowsome of the numerousthings you can do to bring Hillgrove'sdemise ever closer.

Remember,don't expect somebody else to do any of these things. It is up to all of us to play our part. If you don't do it then who will?

The answer is to use your imagination,be determinedand most of all keep it going.,( This list is by no means comprehensiveand we are sure you can think of other ideas. , ··,

1. COMETO DEMOS This is one of the most importantthings that people can do. The national demonstrationsare excellent and attended by a few thousand people.They are great for raising the profile of the campaign and highlightingthe cruelty of HillgroveFarm.They are always covered extensivelyby the local media.The disruption locally and the increase in police costs on these days puts even more pressure on Brown to close down.

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calendar of events),the number of people who come on these demos varies between 10-60. Obviouslythe thought of spendingthe night outside in all weathers does fill some people with dread, but with summer just around the corner hopefullythey will become more bearable and be attended by a few more people.At the last few all-night vigils the protesters have been treated to veggie burgers and a firework display in the very early hours.

The effect that nightly demos have on Brown cannot be overstated.He has complained many times about him and his wife being woken up by fireworks going off and people screamingand blowingwhistles at 2 o'clock in the morning. Please come on these demos even if it is just for a few hours.

DAILY VIGILS

These are another vital link in the chain of constant pressure on Hillgrove.This is one of the few demos which directly affects the workers.There is a handful of protestersat the gates most days and they desperately need your support. If you've got a few hours free any time of the day you would be making Even more important than the national demos are a big difference if you can go to Hillgroveand just the all-night vigils and daily vigils at the farm. The stand there with a banner.The workers normally go national demos only occur once every six weeks but to work at 8am and come out at about 4pm so these with the night and day vigils the pressure on Brown is are the most essentialtimes to be there. constant Also Brown can be seen driving his N reg White ALL-NIGHT VIGILS Mercedesvan taking cats to laboratories.

These start at 10pm on most Saturdays (check

2. GET ON THE PHONE One way we can directly affect Hillgrove and the companies associated with · Hillgroveis by using the telephone.In most of the previousnewsletterswe have stressed the importance of phoning up Hillgrove Farm as often as you can. The benefit of doing this is obvious - when the phone lines are blocked then potential customers cannot ring up and order kittens. But also try and imagine what it must be like having the phone ringing all the time and when you answer it there is no reply.

If every person on the mailing list phoned up Hillgroveonce a week during office 4

hours then Brown's phone would be engaged constantly. One trick you can use to phone up Brown but not spend any money is this: Use a public phone box, put 1Op in and ring up Brown, just as the phone answers press 'follow on call', when you hear the dialling tone press redial. This way you can ring up numerous times and not lose your 1Op.

Telephone Hillgrove Farm on 141 01993 703120 As well as ringing up Brown you can also put a lot of pressure on the workers by ringing them up every day.

Unfortunately because of the effectiveness of everyone ringing up all the time the workers change their telephone numbers on an almost weekly basis. The only worker's phone number we have at the moment is:

Helen Ramsey, 60 Bracken Close, Carterton, Wltney, Oxon OX18 1TQ 141 01993 843916 Remember this is one of the people who put 10 day old kittens into boxes and send them to their deaths.

If you or someone you know works for BT or some other telecommunications company then it would be a great help if you could get hold of their ex-directory telephone numbers.

Their addresses are listed below with a useful map so if you want you can go round and criticise their curtains Helen Ramsey 60 Bracken Close Carterton Witney Oxon

Janet Cooper Shilldeane Drive Carterton Witney Oxon OX18 180

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Another company who are essential to Hillgrove's continuation is the security company that Brown employs K9 security. Their address is Red Barn Farm, Woodstock Rd, Wolvercote, Oxford (opposite Pear Tree Services) Tel. 141 01865 510230

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A lot of the workers at Hillgrove are supplied by an employment agency called Agenda Resource Management, Dunedin House, 45 Percy St, Hull HU2 8HL Tel. 141 01482 898686 The directors names and addresses are: Heather and Paul Sanders, Rose Cottage, Lelly, Hull HU12 8SN John Close, Pelham House, Northumberland Avenue, Hornsea, North Humberside HU18 1EQ Tel. 141 01964 532505 Roy Butterworth, The Old Rectory, High St, Fillingham, Gainsborough, Lines DN21 5BS 141 01427 668304.

Agenda supply quite a few labs with workers (mainly teenagers). Again they need their phone lines blocking . Don't think your phone calls do not work as they have been known to go hysterical. Apparently Heather and Paul Sanders ' house has been attacked. The question is this when you close your eyes and hear all the screams of the animals trapped in labs, convulsing, bleeding and dying in agony on their own with no one to help them do you feel any sympathy for the people responsible for the animals suffering? I think not!

Every time you go out- make a mental, note to ring Hillgrove Farm and the other numbers at least once - why . not write the numb ers 0n a bit of card and keep it with , you all the time that way If you 've ever got a few · minutes to kill then you can give them a ring . ·

5

TAXIS You may have read in the last newsletter about the taxi firm called "Angela's" - This is the company who ferry Hillgrove workers to and from Hillgrove Farm. The drivers are frequently abusive to demonstrators and they obviously see nothing wrong with Hillgove's trade in kittens . Please ring "Angela's" and tell them what you think of them . Better still why not ring them on a Friday or Saturday night and ask them to pick you up from a local pub. The following list is a selection of pubs from around Witney: Chequers Church Lane, Cassington Witney The Chequers Inn 47 Corn St Witney The Cock Inn The Green Combe Witney The Elm Tree 21 West End Witney The Fox Inn The Green Leafield Witney George & Dragon 133 Main Rd Long

Hanborough The Jolly Sportsman 2 Lombard St Eynsham The Hollybush Inn 35 Corn St Witney Witney The House Of Windsor 31 West End Witney The Lamb Inn Steep Hill Crawley Witney The Lamb & Flag Middletown Hailey Witney The New Inn 111 Corn St Witney Masons Arms Park Rd North Leigh Witney The Newlands Inn Newland St Eynsham Witney The Masons Arms Station Rd -----------The Plough Inn 98 High St South Leigh Witney Witney New Inn Burford Rd Minster The Royal Oak 17 High St Lovell Witney Witney Oxfordshire Yeoman 172 , ~ The Strickland Arms 11 Wroslyn Rd Freeland Witney ~ j· =. Witney Rd Ducklington Queens Head 17 Queen St L_L '- Lllj . •! '.1!!: ' 11• Witney Eynsham Witney .[""') II I ' I I • I The Swan Inn Millwood End The Red Lion The Square r· ~ Long Hanborough Witney 1 Eynsham Witney The Woodman New Yatt Rd

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The White Hart Inn Burford Star Inn 43 Witney Rd ~~ Rd Minster Lovell Witney Eynsham Witney ~ ~ ___.--The White Hart Newland St The Bell Inn 21 Standlake Rd f /, \l ____.-Eynsham Witney Ducklington Witney "Oon talk to me White Horse The Ridings The Bell Inn Main Rd Long Stonesfield Witney Hanborough Witney O 00 y The Windrush Inn Burford The Black Head Church St Rd Witney Stonesfield Witney The Angel Inn 42 Market The Black Horse High St Standlake Witney Square Witney The Bell at Standlake 21 High St Standlake The Carpenters Arms 132 Newland Witney Witney The Ferryman Inn Sablock Hythe Northmoor The Butchers Arms 104-106 Corn St Witney Witney The Flying Machine Fettiplace Rd Witney The Fox Main Rd Stanton Harcourt Witney The Griffin 166 Newland Witney

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"Angela 's" have been complaining about receiving up to seventy bogus calls a night , but this obviously isn 't enough to stop them going to Hillgrove They will only do t11atif we all ring them and turn that seventy calls a night into seven hundred calls a n1g11t ·

3. SENDA FAX The fax number for Hillgrove is 141 01993 700528 It has been brought to our attention that if you send a black piece of paper through the fax then it uses up a lot of expensive ink and also blocks the fax line.

An anonymous supporter of Save the Hillgrove Cats sent us in the following advice: 1. Take a long sheet of black paper 2. Feed the paper through so 3/4 of it sticks out of the bottom and 1/4 sticks out of the top 3. Stick the bottom of the paper onto the top of the paper so that it is looped around 4. Dial the number and leave it going !

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4. JUNK MAIL In most magazines you see adverts like the ones pictured below. I'm sure you will have seen them, they are the ones encouraging you to join book

clubs, music clubs or buy limited edition plates etc.

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5. FREEADS The following advert was spotted in the Liverpool Echo: Sony Playstation, unwanted present, never used, still boxed with games £50 o.n.o. Tel. 01993 703120 / 700528 before 5pm

Placing bogus adverts with Hillgrove's number on them in newspapers and in newsagent's windows is a great way of blocking up Brown's telephone line

and could have a serious impact on his business.

When you place the advert make sure the thing you are pretending to sell is popular and will generate a lot of enquires especially if you offer it at a very cheap price. Please use your imagination and advertise every thing from lawnmowers to Landrovers. Make the adverts cheap, appealing and most of all make them regular.

6. PUBLICITY Whatever you personally can do to help close down Hillgrove you should always remember that you are only one person. If you get just ten more people involved with the campaign then those ten can achieve much more than you can on your own, and also those ten then go on and get ten people each so that every day the campaign grows by an ever increasing amount.

There are endless ways of getting other people involved but here are a few ideas : 1. Flyposting - We always have colour posters which we will send you for nothing for you to stick up around your area. This is very simple and just involves walking around city centres with a bag of wallpaper paste, a pasting brush and a bag full of posters. It is up to you where you put up posters but try and avoid annoying local shopkeepers.

2. Information Stalls - We have a range of merchandise we can send you if you want to do an information stall in your area. All you need is a pasting table set up in a city street on a Saturday covered with our leaflets, factsheets, posters, badges etc. and you will find many people who are interested

in the plight of the Hillgrove cats.

3. Posters in shops - If you know of local shops, libraries, vet surgeries, etc who can put up posters then contact us. For each national demo we have 20,000 printed and numerous new people contact us because they have seen ·a poster in a shop or on a wall in a city centre. that poster could change someone's life and it could have been put up by you !

We have both nice and nasty posters so shops have a choice.

An example of flyposting seen recently in Oxford

7

7. DONATIONS It is always worth rememberingthat Save the HillgroveCats is run entirely voluntarily,every,and I mean every,penny you donate goes directly to the fight to close Hillgrovefarm.The campaign office and the campaign itself runs 7 days a week from morning till night.To run the campaign at a fast, aggressiveand effective pace is expensive.The campaigngrows at a very fast pace and for us to keep up the donations need to be constant and ever growing.Thisis a good opportunityto clarify two points. Firstly it is sometimes assumed that the colour printing the campaign uses is extravagant,not true, this newsletter,all 24 pages of it, costs only 18 pence per copy , the full colour demo posters are 3 pence each and the colour 'Born to Die' leaflets are less than one and a half pence each. Anyonewho has looked at a window full of dreary black and white posters will know just how effectivelya full colour yellow poster will stand out and after all we are in the job of making the plight of the Hillgrovecats stand out. Secondlywe would like to point out that donations DO NOT go on free coach seats to demos, but we do have to pay for coaches in advance which is then replaced when people pay their coach fares.Hereare a few examplesof fundraising ideas: COLLECTINGTINS - We now have a stock of collectingtins, if you know of shops who will take a collecting tin then please contact us, if it is done in conjunctionwith leaflets or a petition then it is a good way of raising funds and raising the profile of the campaign.

STANDINGORDERS - We have standing order forms so please contact us for one BENEFITGIGS, COFFEE MORNINGS,ETCthese are easy to organise and can be a good fundraiser.The added advantageof these is that they can also involvelarge numbers of interested people.

Below is an example of what donations are used for, this advert was recently in the Big Issue in full colour.

Adverts like these have brought new people into the animal protection movement in their hundreds,also I recently sat behind two women on the bus one of whom was reading a copy of the Big Issue when she got to the Hillgroveadvert she turned to her friend and said 'that's bloody disgusting it should be banned, I can't believe it still goes on. If I could get my hands on the people responsiblethey would know about it' they both spent the rest of the journey talking about vivisection and how disgusting it is. The Hillgroveadverts must have sparked off thousands of similar discussionswhich is somethingthe vivisectors hate.

WORLD DAY FOR LABORATORY ANIMALS at HILLGROVE FARM Saturday 17th April 12 Noon MEET AT THE MAIN GATE, DRY LANE, WITNEY,OXON FOR TRANSPORT DETAILS TEL. 012 1 632 6460

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Hillgrove Farm breeds cats and kittens.

They sell them all to animal experiments like the one pictured. At Hillgrove Farm over 1,000 cats are imprisoned waiting to be sold to labs.

COME TO THE DEMO AND HELP US SAVE THE HILLGROVE CATS Contact: Save the Hillgrove Cats, Box CB, 111 Magdalen Rd, Oxon OX4 IRQ 8

Newrutter ND. 12

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STOOD UP: Protesters make their point outside the Home Secretary's local church yesterday

Strawhas kittensas 'savethe cat' protesters gather outside church BYIAIIGARET HUSSEY .l.\f'K

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"Th,· Hun11· Offin' must h:1n• had thousand s of lt•t · tt·r..., a hou t H 1llgro\' (' Farm. whc·rP ca t~ and kitt l' ll:--a n• hn·d fo r \'il'iou:-- l':\JH'ri Illl ..llb . and ye t th e fa rm ca r ri c·~ o n. ··1r\l r Str aw fPPb that thl' t•XpPrinwnt!'-1 arP justifit 1 d. and hl' f,·l'ls that he ha, n nlh · i 11g lll bP asham<'<I "f. th Pll Ill' shou ld han• 1urm "\d up a nd fan•d u ~.-.-\ llw 111 · Olli n• spokesma n sai, I \lr Str;iw had d11>sl'n to \'i s it ano ther chur ch sim11lr h P«-:llb l' '"that hPltt ·r ~uit('d l11s p!;ins forth ,· ,la, .. llundn •d :-. of JK·uplt• ri--gu l:trl~- takP part in d1•m11n~tra t 11Jn~ ag:1111:--t H ili.1!1"11\·1• Farm. w lH·n· 1·amp :tig 1wr:-:--ay lJK)(I rab ;,nd kitt,·n ~ :t P · hou~ Pd for 1·:q~·rim1·nt:1t1 , rL II i\lgr·n\t· F:trm 11\\ n, -r t 'hrist11ph,·r lln, ,rn '""'

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The shaded area on the map shows the areas that we can normally provide transport from.

TRANSPORT TO DEMOS t is often assumed by supporters of the campaign that their area of the country is already sorted for transport or there is no transport from their area. So to clear up any confusion here is a map. If you see your area covered then please ring us on 0121 632 6460.

We will give you the transport details for your area. If your area is not covered and you are running, or are thinking of running transport, to the next demo and have spaces then PLEASE PLEASE ring us so we can put you on the transport contact list. The areas that desperately need sorting out are NORFOLK, HUMBERSIDE, LINCOLNSHIRE, NORTH WALES, CUMBRIA+ NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE, SHEFFIELD.

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10

Ne.wr/,e,ttu No. 12

MAFF (IR)REGULATIONS The campaign recently studied the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) regulations for the export of cats and dogs from the UK. We specifically asked for the regulations regarding France, Belgium and Australia (three countries we know Hillgrove definitely supply). They make quite interesting reading.

Firstly all three sets differ because the UK basically has no regulations of note regarding cats leaving the UK and it is left for the country of destination as to whether there are any regulations and what they are (The UK government obviously doesn't care what happens in transit abroad). Even these wishy, washy regulations have been breached by Hillgrove Fann.

FRANCE The regulations state "All dogs and cats must be at least 3 calendar months old" yet in Hillgrove's own breeding records it clearly states that Hillgrove has sent kittens to France at 7 and 8 weeks of age.

AUSTRALIA The regulations state "Cats must be more than 12 weeks old at the time of export" Hillgrove has supplied kittens to Australia under 12 weeks. They also state "All cats must be identified by means of a microchip" Brown has admitted on the phone and on oath in Oxford Crown Court that Hillgrove cats are not microchipped.

BELGIUM The regulations covering Belgium are very brief and give no minimum age requirements, identification, feeding and rest etc., so are completely useless.

The Welfare (?) of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 is the MAFF document which covers the transportation of cats from the UK The problem is this document was almost exclusively drawn up to cover the transportation of farm animals for which it gives maximum journey times between resting (although inadequate). Again we see the so called "strictest regulations in the world" to be worthless . The order uses bland and virtually legally unenforceable phrases like "measures shall be taken to avoid any animal being caused injury or unnecessary suffering".

We know that Hillgrove supplies Australia which is a journey that could last days. The only regulation is that they should be fed at intervals of no more than 24 hours and given water at intervals of no more than 12 hours.

They do contain two interesting passages in Schedule 4 Part 1: "Receptacles in which animals are transported shall be constructed and maintained so that they allow for appropriate inspection and care of the animals" and regarding size and height: "The accommodation available for carriage of animals The demonstration is the latest shall be such that the animals are provided with adequate space THE cost of policing protests at the controversial Hillgrove in a series against the farm, which to stand in their natural position". cats for laboratories. cat farm in Oxfordshire has breeds Thames Valley Police have Now look at the photo. The sides are covered to protect the SPF topped.£2m. warned people living in the town status and in theory the transport tubs are fully sealed inside The spiralling cost of manning to be patient. A spokesman said Hillgrove and cannot be opened until inside the germ free lab at the demonstrations at Hillgrove Dry Lane, which runs past Hill- the other end, so how is it possible to allow for " ...appropriate Farm, Minster Lovell, was grove Farm, would be closed from inspection and care of the animal" when it is not possible to revealed as hundreds of campaign- 10am to5pm.

Representatives of Save the Hill- open or even see into the transportation tubs? ers converged on Witney today on grove Cats have agreed the route Also when you look at the size of the tub compared to the cat a World Day for lab animals. of a march with police along and then remember that the mother is supposed to travel with the streets of Witney from 3 to Spm, including High Street the kittens if they are sent to labs before weaning (which they and Corn Street. are). We know that Hillgrove has sent 3-4 pre weaned kittens to Supt John MacIntyre, head labs before. Now look at the photo again and imagine an adult of Operation Stile, said: "We cat inside the tub with four pre-weaned kittens on a journey to • will facilitate a lawful and peaceful demonstration and Australia lasting days knowing that the tub cannot be opened allow a march to take place nor the kittens inspected and remember THIS IS LEGAL IN through Witney.

BRITAIN IN 1999.

"But we will not allow any That is why we say the "regulations" are a sick joke, that is why repeat of the violent and ugly we are angry and that is why there will be no let up until scenes we saw at the demonstration at the farm last Hillgrove Farm closes. Now look back at pages 4-8 and ACT. April."

Contact MAFF and ask them what's going on: MAFF, Animal Health Division, Gvt. Buildings, Coley Park, Reading, Berks RG 1 6LY 0118 959 6695 ext 3512 (Mrs Phillip export section) and 0118 959 6695 ext 3505 (Duty vets - Emma Dow, Dr. RusseU and Megan Power.)

MAFF, Hook Rise South, Tolwortb, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7NF 'Now?' Tel. 0181330 4411 ext 8184 (export section)

Hillgrove policing tops£

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HOME OFFICE

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HOME OFFICE QUEENANNE'SGATE LONDONSWlH 9AT

In terms of honouring our pledges on animal testing , you may be interested to know that we have already announced: • a commitment to the development and promotion of the 3Rs (reducing the number of animals used, refining procedures to minimise suffering, and replacing animal use) where ever possible and , in particular, with respect to primates and LOSOtesting . As one indication of this, the budget made available to the Animal Procedures Committee to sponsor research on alternatives has been increased by 42%; • that no more animals will be used in this country for the testing of cosmetics ingredients or products; a ban on the use of animals to test tobacco or alcohol products; • further funding has been secured to increase the complement of the inspectorate from 18 to 21 and seven new inspectors have been recruited to fill these and other vacancies; • through the European Commission the Government is putting pressure on the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development to delete the LOSOtest from its list of regulatory safety tests ; and • that ethical review processes (something which goes beyond welfare committees) will be required in all establishments from April 1999.

Over and above the pre-election pledges, Ministers have also announced: • a ban on the use of Great Apes ; • that the use of ascitic animals in monocolonal antibody production will be phased out; • an increase to the number of animal welfare experts on the Animal Procedures Committee.

etting a straight answer out of a politician can be as easy as nailing a jelly to the ceiling . When they hide away in their offices and the only contact you have is by post, it can be even harder. Some of the claims made recently by our Home Office about vivisection may seem positive at first, but looking more closely shows them in their true colours.

G

The ' end to cosmetic testing on animals' is to be welcomed cautiously, but may not be permanent. It is still legal to test cosmetics on animals, but currently noone has admitted doing so. Ingredients used in cosmetics may still be animal tested, as they may also be ingredients used in pharmaceu tical or household products - which may be tested on

animals . The cosmetic industry used to use about 2,000 animals per year testing ingredients and finished products. The number 'saved' each YEAR is less than a tenth of the average DAILY use in UK labs . Six times as many rodents are killed as surplus every day.

The 'ban on testing alcohol and tobacco products' is similar in that it isn't a ban, there are just no current licences to do it.

Note the word 'products' - whether tobacco or alcohol in the natural form is being tested on animals is unclear .

'Offensive weapons testing' is claimed to be banned, although Porton Down and similar weapons testing labs operate under such extreme secrecy that it's hard to believe this. Considering Labour pledged to ban all military animal tests, this is another time they have failed us and the animals .

Claims to be 'putting pressure on the OECD to delete the LD50 test from its list of regulatory requirements" are weak when the government pledged to ban this test in a pre-election leaflet. This is one of the most crude and painful uses of animal s in which

12

various animals are given increasing doses of poisons until they die and even vivisectors are forced to admit openl y that it should go, but the government would rather break their promises than see it stopped.

...animalsare given increasingdosesof poisonsuntil they die...

The 'ban on the use of Great Apes (gorillas , chimpanzee, pygmy chimpanzees, orangutan)' is a ban of something which didn't exist. None of

Newrktt:er No. 12 these tests had been done for over 20 years, and again it's not clear whether they are banned,or the current policy does JUSt not allow it. Perhaps they can also claim credit for an end to witch burnings and the end of rationing.

Some of the claimed 'advances' have been on the administration side. Now :ethical review processes' are required m all labs licensed to use animals wh!ch _are groups discussing poli;y and act1V1ttes. How this influences your life if you happen to be a lab animal is another matter, as they are powerless to change anything. At a lab technicians conference a representative of the RSPCA addressed the fears of vivisectors that opponents of vivisection ; would gain places on committees and :,;: cause problems for the lab, by saying -. anyone who wanted things to be changed drastically would lose their place on the committee.

...we aon't neeamore inspectorswe neeaa change to the system...

which show no purpose, and tests which can show no conceivable benefit for man or animals. More costs are generated by the effects of vivisection as dangerous treatments are passed safe due to animal tests and given to humans. Estimates show that one in six NHS beds are occupied by someone there for treatment of a condition caused by medical , treatment means that such problems , are costing many millions of pounds.

The benefit of freeing beds and getting patients back to work, off state handouts and paying tax again are obvious, but more important is the relief of the stress and suffering on them and those close to them.

• While we continue to use animals · medical mistakes will continue, ~ ani_malsare no indicators of safety or efficiency of medical preparations. A Royal Commission would offer a chance to make a start on this massive problem.

--n;,o~e-;x~pe;,n;:;"'.· m;:;:;:;e:::-nt;-::::pe::r::m:::i:::tt:-:ed-::;-:-u-n'le_s_s-:t-:--he_r_e....,i_s_n_o __ _J 'Increased funding for inspection of non-animal method. Research has Funding for ' research into alternatives establishments' is one offer which anyone uncovered plenty of examples of such has been increased by 42%', which is who has studied the subject will know is cases having been permitted. It has been fund for grants to develop replacement unlikely to improve anything at all. Since policy to investigate alternatives since the methods. 'Alternatives is a misnomer: the 1989 teams independent of the introduction of the 1986 Animals word implies 'similar', so why we need to government have studied, photographed (Scientific Procedures) Act, but if look for misleading, unscientific methods and filmed inside labs and breeders on replacement methods exist, they are either is unclear. However the budget for this eleven different occasions in studies not found or not implemented. It seems to now stands at £253,000, which is tiny ranging up to 17 months . In all, the 'strict be a polite request to vivisectors to look at compared to the enormous financial power go~ernment guidelines' (a rudimentary, alter_nati~es, which they are at liberty to w,~lded by the pharmaceutical companies, entuely voluntary code) was subject to declme, Just as the Code of Practice on ammal supply/food/bedding etc. industries repeated, serious breaches, experiments Housing and Care of Laboratory Animals and is tiny in comparison to government were found that should never have been (OCP) is a purely voluntary request which grants to experiment on animals. Even this allowed, and a catalogue of cruelty and m practice can be ignored.

42% _increase is misleading. Following the bad practice was revealed. In almost all elect10n m 1997, one of the first decisions cases it was documented that Home Office made was to cut this budget. Over the two Similarly the pledge that the 'ascites inspections had taken place. years in power, this government, has spent method for production of Monoclonal a similar annual amount to the last one. antibodies will be phased out' is akin to a In 1997, over 2,500,000 experiments were But £253,000 is a tiny sum. It represents claim for nothing. A non -animal method performed . Inspectors also have to process less than half a penny a year from each was found in 1989, which by 1991, even apphcat1ons to use animals and offer taxpayer's contribution. By comparison a the extremist pro-vivisectionists were advice to vivisectors, as well as travelli ng new office block for MPs has been agreed admitting was' ...simpler, faster and off to do inspecti ons. Even if the y only at a cost of £1.8 million PER MP Plants cheaper than those using animal use .. .' . mspected, and worked a te n hour da y, 365 for the courtyard alone will cost £200,000 Licences were issued for the animal days a year, they would have to see LO method until this year, despite a superior, The government may seem slightly better experiments every hour. humane method . While they ma y clai m than the previous, but it is in their use of experimen are nernr allowed un less words, not their implementation of law We don't need more inspect ors. Mo.st the re i no ~te rn.alive , how can to ppin g and policy that the difference is made. inspectors are ex-vivisectors, and old arumal use m a very clear -cut exampl e be Any independent study would rule at least friends of the people they are 'inspecting ' . seen as such an achie vement? that vivisection needed urgent wideIt has been repeatedly proved that the reaching action. The government will get system is a failure, and replacing it with The Royal Commission was a specific away with inaction only if we let them. one that works is urgent. promise made by a pre-election Labour Please learn about vivisection, publicise which was shelved almost immediately. . the facts and take action locally and The claim that vivisectors must now Argument of cost is ludicrous. We are nationally to expose the truth and demand 'demonstrate the consideration they have currently paying valuable tax money a rational response now. given to the use of alternatives' is hollow. towards the breeding of animals which Since 1986 the claim has been that there is will be gassed as surplus, experiments

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...

MERIAL UPDATE

FRONTLINE ®

The new boycott Frontline (a Merial product) postcards are now available from the campaign free of charge.They have a declaration on tl1e back condemning Merial for their use of Hillgrove cats and to say that the person signing the postcard will boycott Frontline and all Merial products in the _ future .These cards are excellent for street _stalls . shops etc . · GREASiNG PALMS Merial has a practice of giving out free food hampers to vet practices who are 'Good clients ·.Merial have range of Frontline promotional products and a Frontline hotline 0870 6000123 tor you to order loads of free Merial goodies by posin·g as a vet of course .

TESTEDONANIMALS a

REGI OnHL DEmos May 1st - Midlands Day of Action.

About 70 people turned up but they made so much noise it sounded like hundreds ! There was a march around Witney and a few nonsense arrests.

and the effectiveness of these demos must not be underest imated .

Regional demos may be attended by as little as sixty people but they seriously disrupt the daily lives of Christopher and Katherine Brown and

all over the place.

On the subject of police. The police costs could be one thing that puts pressure on Brown to close. The police are under a major financial strain at the moment with the overall policing cost for Hillgrove demos May 8th - South West Day of now being over £2 million. The Action regional demos over the past few An excellent and very noisy demo weeks must cost tens of again with 60-70 people •.jl,r&J _ IIE'ii-.. thousands of pounds and these attending . It poured with rain but f :_l•\ costs all mount up. people were buoyant and uplifted . ~ ·t .. · · ~ Think about this - Why do you The megaphone had a good work · think the police issued exclusion out with Heather James reminding orders around Hillgrove Farm? everybody just what was going on Because that is where Brown only a few hundred yards away. A , doesn't want us to be ! young campaigner called Daniel ' Therefore we must be on his spoke brilliantly on the doorstep at every opportunity. megaphone - people like him are Think how you often you would the hope for the future. go to Hillgrove Farm if it was Demonstrators spent about 1 hour • your cat or dog in there? at the bottom of Brown's drive and .;: Most regional demos are then marched around Witney Police Hning the road outside Hillgrove - adding followed by an all night vigil which is followed by the regular where locals came to their to the disruption caused to Brown doorsteps to wave their support.

Sunday demonstration. So All in all both these demos were a Brown has hassle all day Saturday, all all of the workers at Hillgrove Farm. night Saturday night and most of the complete success .

Regardless of the number of day on Sunday. demonstrators there are at least 200 It cannot be stressed enough that if police officers, mounted officers and Please don 't just read this and think "oh yes very good", you must act. The you want Hillgrove to close then a helicopter . You can imagine how cats at Hillgrove don't have time to come to as many demos as you can. difficult it must be for Brown trying to There are regional demos most run a farm and lead a normal life with waste they need YOU to be there ! !

Saturdays (see calendar of events) hundreds of police scampering about

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I

NewrU!.tter No. 12

ANOTHERONE BITESTHE DUST A campaign supporter recently sent us a Hillgrove B+B advert [pictured right ] which appeared in Stilwell' s Britain Bed and Breakfast guide 1999.We rang Stilwell's who were horrified to learn about Hillgrove farm, they had a quick vote amongst their office staff and they all voted not to take any more adverts from the disgusting Hillgrove farm.Please keep your eyes open and inform us immediately if you spot any Hillgrove B+B adverts.

The only two organisations who

take Hillgrove B+B adverts to our knowledge are * ENGLISH TOURIST BOARD, Thames Tower, Black's Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9EL Tel:141 0181 846 9000 FAX: 0181 563 0302 *Stay on a Farm, by The Farm Holiday Bureau (the Browns have very close personal ties with the FHB), National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CVS 2LZ TEL:141 01203 696909 Ring 'em up and give 'em loads .

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MJSBrown Fu:11"37"521 :Ratesfr. £20.00.llUI. . Beds: 1DIT ladll: J En l Pr : b ■ <•>~II ■• . HillGroveFannis a mixedwcning farm.Situaledin a ruralsettingover: lookingthe RiverWindrusbValley. i Walksto Mins&er Lovellvillageand !Hall.Idealtouringareafor the , O.SWolds.Oose Bwford.Blenheim and Oxfooi. Finn beds and substantial breakfasts.

1

NURSES AGAINST VIVISECTION The Nurses Anti Vivisection Movement was founded in 1983 by Shelagh Dickety, an experienced nurse and campaigner for animals. Since 1983 we have been present at Royal College of Nursing Conferences, many marches, and participated in stalls. We are very concerned about the welfare of the cats at Hillgrove Farm, or more correctly concentration camp. We have been to demonstrations at the farm, and one of our members was regularly camping outside the farm in 1997. We have members all over Britain and our newsletter is sent to overseas supporters. We have also collaborated with Doctors and Lawyers for Responsible Medicine. It is clear to us that the use of animals in medical and other research is worthless and inhumane. It may also waste time when the research should have been conducted using nonanimals and humans. There are many successful alternatives which are being used, such as cell cultures , computer simulation, liquid chromatography, use of discarded organs such == ......------as placenta, and studies of population groups.

There are charities which very specifically do not fund animal research. To not use animals is-..._ a step forward, as opposed to a step backward.

At present all drugs have to be tested on · · animals for toxicity, until this is changed with L other laws to make the use of animals illegal,_'. vivisection is likely to continue. There has been .' a steady decline of the numbers of animals being used in vivisection, but it is still millions. --We are also against the use of animal organs for transplantation known as xenotransplantation , there is a potential risk of viruses and crions as has happened with BSE resulting in CJD. Whilst breeding cats may mean less cats are stolen to be used in vivisection, the local opposition and appaling cruelty taking place to the most popular animal in Britain does appear to make us a nation of hypocrites.

Of course the nurses movement, who include nurses and midwives from hospital and community posts, are concerned about all types of animals used in vivisection, for whatever purpose. There are frequently problems with many new medicines which have passed the safety tests on animals yet cause very devastating effects on people.

For further information on joining write to NAVM,PO Box 32, Matlock, Derby DE4 3YJ.

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W@C!D[b@) W@C!D Petplan are an organisation who insure people's pets against accidents and the resulting vets' fees.

Nothing wrong there you might think but what most people don't realise is that Petplan have an arm called The Pet Plan Charitable Trust who in part fund animal research. In just over 5 years they have raised over 1.5 million pounds.In 1999 they have awarded £47,000 to Glasgow University for research on cats and as we all know Glasgow Uni buy all their cats from Hillgrove farm.

How many people insuring their pets with Petplan realise that their money goes towards killing Hillgrove cats? Personally if it was me I would feel duped .If you want full information on alternatives to cat vaccine research on animals then please contact the campaign for details. If vets like Chris Day have been

successfully using non animal alternatives for decades then what is the excuse?

Please contact Petplan and ask them how they can justify condeming Hillgrove cats to die with their research grant PET PLAN LTD, Computer House, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 9DX. Pet Plan Ltd is a subsidiary of Cornhill Insurance PLC. The company have a local rate telephone number so you can call and

From left: Dominic, Roger and Paul who raised £20 for Save the Hillgrove Cats from a jumble sale

PETITIONS We now have nearly t1alf a million signatures on the Hillgrove petition (400 ,000 already handed in) and are still collecting them fast and furiously . Tt1ey are an excellent source of publicity and quite often journalists ask how many signatures we have collected. they seem genuinely surprised by the large amount of signatures collected. Petition forms are always available from the campaign FREE . So keep going strong witt1 the petitions.keep sending them in and

KEE'.P. COLLECTING SIGNATURES !

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Vestedinterest

ask them questions 0845 071 8000 YOUR front page opinion <Witney Gazt'tte. April 21) is certainly based on vt>stnl intC'rest.

Please rl'memher that if the people and traders of Witrwy had got off their ignorant backsides years ago and closed down Hillgrnw Farm ther e would hC'no rwed for people' to demonstrah!. ljntil this (•stahlishment cPast•s its c>\·il trade in cats liws intl'lligPnt peoplP will continue to protest in the stniets of Witney and quite rightly so. I am also disgusted by a letter in the same edition of the newspaper from a person who claims a love for animals yet is still prepared to give up the family pets for medical experinwnrs.

Leaving aside the fact that experiments on animals for medical research are totally unnecessary, I will be happy to volunteer this sad family as suitable candidates for medical research purposes. People like this deserve no better.

Andrew Tomkinson Bicester

DEMO AGAINST GEORGE HOWARTH

ON FRIDAY 11th JUNE there is a demonstration against George Howarth -This man is the Home Office minister who has responsibility for the "animals; byelaws and coroners unit" and therefore is ultimately responsible for all animal experiments in this country.

Demo details: Meet at 6 pm at Kirkby Railway Station, 7 miles North East of Liverpool Contact number: 0961 844863

"F[rstthey ignore you, then they ddicule you, then they fight you, and then you win" - Gandhi

Newrktter No. 12

NEWS FROM GLASGOW UNIVERSITY Greatly inspired by the demo at Hillgrove on 17th April 1997, activists returned to Scotland determinedto keep up the pressure against Glasgow University'sVet School and the bus going home was buzzing with ideas for future events.

The following day, a supporter of the Campaign addressedthe members of the Scottish Cat Club Associationat their AGM in Glasgow.

Memberswere informed of the previousday's demo at Hillgroveand the University'sresponseto our allegation of poor welfare standards and cruel treatment of Hillgrove'scats and kittens.In the event, the members present voted unanimouslyagainst Professor Nash (Prof. of VeterinaryScience, Glasgow University)and, as a result, he has been formally requestedto consider his position as Presidentof the Association.

Readerswill be informed of the outcome in due course.

On 24th April, supporters of the Campaigngathered at the main entrance to the Vet school and a noisy and colourful demonstrationmarked the World Day for Lab Animals.

Activists dressed up in lab coats splatteredwith blood and the Grim Reaper,complete with scythe, made a guest appearance.

On 30th April, Ross Kemp (actor from Eastenders)was formally invested as the new Rectorto Glasgow University,and once again Hillgrovebanners, placards

and supporters dressed in catsuits were on the streets remindingthe Glasgow public and media of the University'sdisgracefuluse of Hillgrovecats and kittens in their vivisection laboratories.In addition a letter of protest was handed to Mr. Kemp.

campaignersat the event and it is understoodthat both these organisationswill be discussing the matter with their respective committees.It certainly would be the hope of the Scottish campaignersthat neither of these organisationswould be . - participatingnext year as, in our opinion, it seriously â&#x20AC;˘ compromisestheir commitmentto cat welfare.Activists picketed both entrancesto the grounds and, despite being water bombed by vet students,hundreds of leaflets were distributed both inside and outside. It is felt, however,that opinions amongst Activists popped up yet again, much to the annoyanceof the the students are mixed as we have University,at the Vet School's just recently been informedthat Open Day on 8th May.This Annual the Glasgow UniversityStudents' Jamboree is aimed at assuring the Union intends debating the public that the Vet School is University'scontinued use of Hillgrovecats and kittens on committedto animal welfare. We are told that the proceedsfrom the Thursday 13th May.Again readers carousels, stalls, entrancefees etc will be informed of the outcome of this vote in due course. are distributed amongstthe Readers may also be interestedto note that a motion of censure was passed by Glasgow District Council against ¡ the Universityfor their use of Hillgrovecats for the - purpose of vivisection.In "!' the motion, Glasgow Universitywas severely criticised and this was widely covered by the local media.This motion was brought by two membersof the public who felt strongly about the University's abuse of animals in general, and cats in particular.

.s

participatingcharities. Alarmingly, both the CPL and Catflap, together with the RSPCAwere present at this year's Open Day. Approacheswere made to the CPL in advance of the 8th in the hope that they would decline to participate but, in the event, they had a stall on the day. Personal representationswere made to both Catflap and the CPL by

See calendarfor the dates of the Glasgow demos 17

THIS IS HOW IT IS. If you believedthe claims of the government,you would expect lab animals to live happily in comfortablesettings.The minimum number would be used - always in essential, productiveexperiments.

Claims like this are easy to make if the conditions are never seen, and under usual conditions,they aren't.

Gharing Cross and WestminsterMedical School was investigatedby an undercoverresearcherfor 17 months in the 90s.

Initially working with mice, he saw thousands of these animals pass through the lab system. Many of them were killed becausethey were surplus to requirements,and by later checkingthe labs records, this was found to be twice as many as were used in experiments.Most were killed in a gas chamber.

Dirty with faeces and blood this metal box stank, and mice and rats panickedas they were put in. As the cold gas hissed in they struggled to find air and would climb over dying cage mates to try to find it. Guidelinesare specific over how this should be done. and were broken in many regards.They were not checkedfor signs of life after gassing and some recovered while piled in sacks among dead bodies.

The living were kept in boxes meant for three adults, but often held five. Eight or nine were sometimes kept in the same box, and one was even found with ten in. The scientific value of mice and rats is nothing when applied to humans, and the experiments pointless.Eye nerves were cut in rats, partial paralysiswas caused in attemptsto mimic Multiple 18

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for years. Parts of the brain had been removed in some experiments.

Working next at the Institute of Neurology in Queens Square, London, more cats were found.

Again the rooms were bare, with the odd shelf and cardboard box intended to avoid boredom. Some cats were terrified and refused to be handled, . and one mother was seen giving birth on a Sunday, but there was no trace of her litter on Monday morning - she must have killed them all.

One morning a cat which had had the spine interferedwith was found to be in poor health. He lay unmovingwhile the staff tried and failed to contact the vivisector for permissionto kill him. · .:' Eventuallythey tried to kill him by injection, but several attempts failed to hit a vein, and it was decided in the end to use gas. · One of the most common uses for cats was in an experimentto study Spreading Depression,a change in the electrical . activity in the brain which the vivisector claimed he believedwas linked to migraine.Cats had their brain superior non-animalmethod was available,which is against the exposed and substancesinjected. principle of the law.

He had already worked on Spreading Depressionin monkeys Upstairs cats, dogs, sheep and and rats, and one of his pigs were kept. Cats were held in a small room where they became discoverieswas that drugs which bored. As soon as anyone entered work on humans don't work in cats. Spreading Depressionitself to clean the room or feed them they would gather round and climb has never been seen in any animal at all - except when over them. To leave, staff would deliberately inflicted in animals. have to peel the cats one by one Animals like fish, rats and cats from their clothing and drop them have smooth brains, which can be back as they squeezed out of the caused to react in this way. But door. Some cats had been there

Sclerosis.The MDX mouse was used, supposedlya 'genetically altered' model for human Muscular Dystrophy.Unlike human patients, MDX mice have a normal lifespan, and muscles regeneratewithout treatment. Mice were used in another test for reasons df 'time, cost and effort', even though a

Newrletter No. 12 animals with convoluted brains (like monkeys and humans) can't even have it induced deliberately !

It is clearly not a naturally

occurring condition. The way to bring it on in animals (needling part of the brain) is exactly what many human patients have had done in the course of treatment, yet it has never been reported. An expert who has done this to over 1000 patients over 30 years of treatment and study poured scorn on the idea that Spreading Depression is anything to do with human biology.

Neighbours to the cats were the monkeys . Macaques are intelligent, social animals with specific needs, but these were kept in tiny cages, not much bigger than their bodies . They had no nesting box or bedding , no toys or other stimulation, and were single housed . One had lost fur from large parts of the body and the skin was red and sore from where she had been rejected by the social group at the suppliers. The staff put her in the same cage soon after.

She paced the floor in repetitive behaviour typical only to extremely disturbed animals.

They were kept for brain experiments . One macaque had the electrodes held in her brain by a plate bolted into her skull. The intention was to study the link between hand movements and the brain, which experts say cannot be studied in animals for a variety of

reasons , but mainly because the brain of a human is unlike any other animal.

This experiment was incredibly controversial. It used 61 monkeys, 25 rats and four cats . Many animals did not die under anaesthesia, but recovered to face the damage inflicted on them, and re-use of a monkey was permitted, which was illegal from 1876 up until 1986. Brain experiments are very controversial due to the damage to the animals, and use of monkeys is similarly under fire from all corners. All in all this was a debatable project.

It is claimed by the Home Office that all applications to use animals are vetted, and any possibilities of reducing numbers, funding replacements, or questioning the medical value of these applications is thoroughly investigated. This is said to be especially true for sensitive work such as that on monkeys or brain experiments . This research must

be an example as the most controversial an application can be. The Home Office approved this licence in THREE working days.

During this time all possibilities were supposed to have been

explored , and the claims that It was necessary rigorously explored. Yet in three days - which included the time it was taken to deliver the application - the rubber stamp of the Home Office approved this cruel , extreme, and utterly valueless work which treated as worthless the lives of these animals, which were then

slowly wrecked and ended. Even ignoring the delivery time of the cats and rats, and assum ing the Home Office worked around the clock they could only have spent a maximum of 70 minutes and 49 seconds considering each of those priceless lives.

It is easy to make claims about a world where no-one sees, but whenever any animal lab is inspected it is found that rules are broken, the Home Office inspectors have overlooked terrible conditions, and the exact sorts of experiments which the Home Office claims it forbids, are commonplace.

Vivisection is a closed \ business which you are only allowed to see if you are involved and will not expose the cruelty, wastefulness and failure to adhere to the law. To say otherwise is a lie: the evidence is overwhelming .

19

SURPRISE DEMOS On Monday the 3rd of May there was an excellent demo at Hillgrove with about 30 people in attendance. Some of the demonstrators actually got right up to Brown's house and had a loud and vociferous 'argument' with him with no police in attendance. When the local police did turn up they didn't seem bothered at all and it was a few hours before 'Operation Stile' (Hillgrove's regular police) androids turned up that people were told to go back down the drive. Brown was apparently ranting that his Bank Holiday had been ruined (oh dear). This demo had been such a success because it was arranged at short notice (24-36 hours) catching them by surprise. This is certainly something we will be doing again. If you can come to Hillgrove at short notice then please ring us or write to us with your name and telephone number and tell us approximately how many people you can bring to take Hillgrove by surprise.

I WAS rather taken aback by both your front page opinion regarding the Hillgrove demonstrations and the anonymous letter on Page 2 from the family who would have no hesitation in giving their family pets for medical research.

I wonder if they would really be able to watch as their cats and dogs were restrained and used for scientific experimentation.

I also question their comment that "people are more important". When I see the destruction caused by people to this beautiful planet I wonder if it would be better looked after by the rest of the animal world.

However,I digress. I have two comments: 1. What cruelty would be inflicted or continue to be inflicted on defenceless animals if it were not brought to our attention. 2. I object to money being used to pay for police protection for the cat breeder at Hillgrove Farm.

If he wishes to continue breeding cats for experimentation he should pay for this protection.

Ann Cleek Cogges Hill Road, Witney

The surprise demo catches a Hillgrove worker unawares

.OPERATION 100 UPDATE We have had quite a few vet rep.lies BUT NOT ENOUGH so if you 've not done so already then please contact us for a vet pack and pass it onto your vet. This is !3n excellent opportuni~y to either close Hillgrove or if Brown backtracks to show him up to be a liar in the press. A point which must be stressed is that you must pick up your vet's reply to · the questionnaire and send it back to us yourself · because some may be just binning them , that wayyou know it has been sent to us. Thankyou.

BROWN'S POPULARITY PLUMMETS Before the Hillgrove campaign started Christopher Brown was seen as a respectable member of society - he belongs to the rotary club and attends church regularly - he certainly sees himself as a community figure.

But since we have exposed Brown's evil and cruel trade, the people of Witney are slowly turning against him.

He was recently in a local restaurant waiting for a meal, but when the waitress saw who it was at the table she refused to serve him and another waitress had to be found.

On another visit into Witney Brown was shopping and was asked to leave by the shop owner who .said he was not welcome on his premises.

Even a fellow church goer of Brown's told us that she prayed that Mr and Mrs Brown would not sit next to her in Church.

We advise Brown to quit his evil trade while he still has a few friends left in Witney because while Hillgrove remains open things are only going to get worse.

''I respect the need for individwals to protest but it is unacceptable _that individuals -act asjudge, prosecutor and -executioner .. - Colin Blakemore . . (who hity.1selfhas acte·d as executioner on t he hundreds of kit tens he h::,, s vivisectedJ 20

Newrl.etter No. 12

PROTEST: Hillgrove demonstrators march through Witne y

Europeans join outcry PROTESTERS from across Europe demand ed th e closure of a cat farm in th e la test of a long lin e of demonstrations.

1,300 at cat farm protest

About 1.300 demonstra tors descended on Witney on Saturda y to protest against Hillgrove cat farm , whe r e farmer Chris Brown bree ds cats for experiments.

A 36-year -old man was ar rested for a public order offence, but oth er wise the demonstration passed peace fully.

Protest ers came from Italy. France and German y. Ern st Wagner. from Germany, said: ··we have heard a lot abou t the farm and we are joining our British colleagues demanding its closur e. It 's

horr ible what goes on in there.' · Police allowed prot esters to march into Dry Lane but not on to the farm Three hundred police, includi ng seYeraJ dozen from Hampshire. and 25 mounted officer . hadowed the protest ers in Dry Lane and through Witney.

Thames Valley Police spokesma n Richard Goodfellow said they h ad agreed the route of the protest with campa igners before hand .: ··we had a substantial numb er of police officer s to prevent a repeat of any violence."

By PAUL WARNER

"5-'re WMfd t;j,a dang,eJt(J_U;j, plaa taewein, not ~-e wi£ fut ~,e o.f,~,e wfw_ fu.<Jiion cutd fa tfwn da

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Albert Einstein 21

PRISONIER'S

ADDRESSES

-

Thomas MonaghanBV6144, HMP Spring Hill, Grendon Underwood,Aylesbury,Bucks HP18 OTJ (12 months) Tim Senior BV6384, HMP Spring Hill etc. (9 months) Peter Merson-DaviesBV6385, HMP Spring Hill etc. (12 months) David Lakeman BV6386, HMP Spring Hill etc. (9 months) Paul Holiday BV6387, HMP Spring Hill etc. (12 months) Stephen GreenwoodDJ5857, HMP Woodhill,TattenhoeSt, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK4 4DA (1O months) Steven Massey DJ5855, HMP Spring Hill etc.(6 months) Mel Arnold DT4543,HMPEastwood Park etc. (10 months) Sue Amoss DT4388, HMP Eastwood Park etc. (12 months) All sentenced for "violent disorder" during a demo at Hillgrove Farm last April. Peter Merson-Daviesand Sue Amoss were also given 14 days and 3 months respectivelyfor "assault"on police officers.

Please write to all the above prisoners who were imprisoned for offences related to demonstrations at Hillgrove Farm . For more information about animal rights prisoners write to: ALFSG , BM 1160 . London WC1 NN 3XX

WITNESSES WANTED

,------------------------¡ Order Form

If you witnessed any of the following please contact us:

r.nrli:-

c1uantit\

De~rintion

c~nc::t

July 11th Peartree Small elderly lady with grey curly hair was walking down the road when police sergeant 616 grabbed hold of her and threw her into the road. She was hurled to the ground and lost consciousness .

She is planning to sue Thames Valley police and wants witnesses to the incident.

Ref: HN February 20th Hillgrove A woman wearing a black jacket with a hood and a purple band in her hair (long, dark with ponytail) . Was part of a sit-down protest in the field near Hillgrove she was repeatedly pulled to her feet and thrown on top of other people sitting down. The officer's number was 193 Ref: KH

Name:

$ub total

Address:

Donation

September 6th A woman who was wearing black jeans and a brown embroidered jacket was punched in the back and had her arm twisted by police officers. This caused her to have an asthma attack.

Ref: RS

TOTAL

Postcode: Would the person featured in the last newsletter (Ref TD) please contact us as soon as possible on 0121 632 6460 Have you been assaulted / wrongfully arrested at a Hillgrove demo? If so, and you require witnesses please write to us so we can help you find them. Include a brief description of yourself, when the incident happened, what happened and where it happened .

22

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Phone:

Please make cheques payable to "Save the Hillgrove Cats".

Send completed forms with cheque/ PO to: Box CB 111 Magdalen Rd Oxford OX4 1 RQ

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P4 Demo Poster NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION AT HILLGAOVE FARM Saturday 12th June 12 noon Dry Lane, Wit ney, Oxfo rd sh ire.

HILLGKOV'EFARM BREED CATS -'ND 1,/TTJ,'NS fOR fHE VIV1SECT1ON INDU5fll:Y .

THEY HAVE 1,000 CATS AND KITTENSAT THE FARM AT ANY ONETIME. KITTENSARE &OLD FROM HILLGROVETO LA6S FROM 10 DAYS OLP.

HELP SAVE THE HILLGROVE CATS ! eoxce. 11\ MAGDALEN ROAD,OXFORDOX'4-1RQ

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