University police are investigating a claim that animal rights activists placed unfired shotgun shells in the mufflers of several UCLA commuter vans though UCLA officials have said the claims are unlikely to be true.
The North American Animal Liberation Press Office posted separate claims by the Animal Liberation Front on Oct. 6 and Oct. 17 on its Web site announcing action taken against UCLA, according to a UCLA statement.
“There were two separate releases that the (Animal Liberation Front) distributed based on these anonymous communiques that claimed that shotgun shells had been inserted,” said Phil Hampton, a university spokesman. “The police department has looked into it and found no evidence to support the claims.”
The Animal Liberation Front is an animal rights group that takes “direct action against animal abuses … usually through the damage and destruction of property,” according to its Web site.
Animal rights activists claimed to have placed the shotgun shells into the tailpipes of commuter vans as part of a continuing campaign against animal experimenters, according to an Animal Liberation Front statement.
“There are roughly 12 (give or take a few, they’ll have to find the exact number) of those UCLA vans driving around with unfired shotgun shells in there mufflers,” the communique read, according to the statement. “Some of them may have ignited with the warm weather that we have been having. Most of them will eventually blow the mufflers straight off those vans, it all depends on when the conditions are just right.”
But Nancy Greenstein, a UCPD spokeswoman, said the claims are not likely to be true.
Hampton added that the claims are still nonetheless under investigation.
“The process that’s described in the claims, it’s very unlikely that it could cause damage or injury,” he said. “But the details of what they looked into or how they looked into it, I can’t say because it’s still an open investigation.”
University police have told commuter van drivers to inspect their vehicles before driving anywhere, Hampton said.
“UCLA has 150 commuter vans serving communities across Southern California,” he said. “There was a note sent to all vanpool riders and drivers … encouraging all riders and drivers to remain vigilant, check under the vehicle for suspicious materials and be on the look out for suspicious individuals, and to report vandalism no matter how minor it may be.”
Greenstein said UCPD investigates any and all claims to ensure Bruin safety.
And Hampton added that the university is doing all that it can to ensure the safety of the people that ride in the vans.
“Keeping students safe is a top priority for the university,” he said.