Animal Rights Take Credit for Ranch Fire

Animal rights activists claimed to have torched more than a dozen trucks on a central California cattle ranch, according to local media reports.

Animal rights activists claimed to have torched more than a dozen trucks on a central California cattle ranch, according to local media reports.

Fourteen big-rig tractor-trailers were burned in the incident, which took place in western Fresno County. Local police said it was a case of arson, according to KSEE 24 News television station.

According to the report, an anonymous statement from the perpetrators was received by the North American Animal Liberation Press Office (NAALPO).

Several “containers of accelerant were placed beneath a row of 14 trucks” before they were ignited, the statement says.

The trucks belonged to Harris Farms, the largest cattle processing company in California, according to the Fresno Bee.

Harris Farms CEO John Harris said he was “appalled by this senseless, but very alarming attack,” saying it was a terrorist action, according to the Fresno Bee.

A spokesperson with NAALPO said the organization is not involved in illegal activities, but said it distributes statements from people who do, according to the Bee.