Sheriff: Freeing pheasants from farm 'a form of domestic terrorism'
SCIO, Ore. - The Animal Liberation Front claimed responsibility for releasing dozens of ringneck pheasants from breeder Gary Boschler, who raises the birds for hunting and dog training.
“It’s always going to be on our mind," said Boschler in front of the pen that was damaged, cut wire still visible on Monday. "Are they going to come back and cause more terror."
The pen at Queener Ridge Pheasant Company was damaged sometime on the night of March 14, the Linn County Sheriff's Office said, releasing an estimated 75 to 100 pheasants. Initial damages and losses are estimated at $4,000, the sheriff's office said.
"Persons found responsible for this type of criminal conduct can be charged with state crimes," Undersheriff Bruce Riley said, "and because this is a form of domestic terrorism, could face federal charges."
In an anonymous post on the Bite Back magazine website, unnamed persons claimed responsibility for releasing the pheasants.
“It’s not just a criminal organization. It is a terrorist group," said Boschler. “Animals are not human beings for one. And they think that they are to be treated just as humans. That’s your PITA bunch. And these people are cut out of the same cloth.”
"After jumping a barbed wire fence, we made our way to the main breeding facility where we dismantled a huge section of an aviary that held between 75-150 pheasants; liberating them into the night sky," the anonymous post reads.
Ty Steele and Rob Woodward from KVAL News headed to Scio on Monday to learn more about the investigation and what happened at the pheasant company. Watch KVAL.com and KVAL News at 5, 6 and 11 for updates.
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Press release from the Linn County Sheriff's Office
Linn County Undersheriff Bruce Riley reports deputies are investigating the illegal release of pheasants from a local hunting ranch. Sometime during the night of March 14, 2012, members claiming to be affiliated with the North American Animal Liberation, say they entered the property located at 40485 Queener Drive Scio, OR. They damaged a pen which was holding the birds and allowed the release of approximately 75 to 100 Chinese Ring Neck Pheasants.
The ranch raises pheasants for controlled release for the purposes of hunting and dog training. The initial report indicates over $4000.00 in damage to the property and loss of birds. Persons found responsible for this type of criminal conduct can be charged with state crimes and because this is a form of domestic terrorism, could face federal charges.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Linn County Sheriff's Office at 541.967.3911. The investigation is continuing.
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Bite Back magazine (www.directaction.info) received the following anonymous claim of responsibility:
Last night, the night of March 14th, we infiltrated the property Queener Ridge Pheasant Company (40485 Queener Drive, Scio, OR) which breeds ringneck pheasants primarily to be murdered in commercial canned hunts. After jumping a barbed wire fence, we made our way to the main breeding facility where we dismantled a huge section of an aviary that held between 75-150 pheasants; liberating them into the night sky. Although the number of animals freed represented only a tiny fraction of the thousands more still held captive on this farm, we feel that every life saved--no matter how few--is a victory.
Ringneck pheasants are a naturalized species to this region and are specifically bred to retain their wild characteristics and instincts, so we have no doubt that these animals can survive in the wild upon release. Otherwise doomed to a life of confinement and brutality these sentient animals now have a fighting chance at survival.
For an industry whose only purpose is the infliction of violence against sentient animals for entertainment and pleasure, the only ethical choice we can make is to set your animals free.
Against all domination,
--Animal Liberation Front"
