Animal-rights campaigner guilty of rabbit farm raid
AN animal-rights activist from East Peckham faces jail after being convicted of taking part in a raid on a Lincolnshire rabbit farm.
Lewis Pogson, of Bush Road, denied he was among a group of protesters who broke into a shed at Highgate Farm, Normanby-by-Spital.
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CONVICTED: Animal-rights activist Lewis Pogson
Lincoln Crown Court heard the intruders stole 129 New Zealand White rabbits bred specifically for the animal research industry.
Animal rights slogans were also daubed on the building's walls, with a warning reading: "Close down – or we'll close you down."
Farmer Jeffrey Douglas woke the next morning to discover paint-stripper poured on his Lamborghini and its tyres slashed.
Expandable foam was sprayed inside its exhaust, causing damage worth £56,000.
A van, a quad bike and a ride-on lawnmower were also vandalised in the raid, carried out in the early hours of January 7 last year.
Pogson denied taking part in the attack, claiming he was at his mother's home in Dulwich, London, on the night of the incident.
After two days of deliberations, a jury found the 23-year-old guilty of four charges relating to the break-in.
He was granted bail after Judge Ebrahim Mooncey adjourned the case until 2010 to allow pre-sentence reports to be prepared.
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by sue jones, United Kingdom
Friday, December 11 2009, 5:44PM
“before commenting will your readers watch the beagle pup being tortured in Huntigton L S and then decide if any compassionate person would want any sentient being to suffer in that way.Alternatives to animal testing must be explored .I understand that prescriptiondrugs are a major cause of death in America so animal testing is far from foolproof.”
by Mark, Sittingbourne
Thursday, December 10 2009, 11:07AM
“Whether you agree with his ideals or not what gives him the right to vandalise other peoples property.
Oh and by the way did you know its a legal requirement in this country to test drugs on animals before they are put into production.”
by Roger Harris, Gravesend
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 6:48PM
“The acceptance of the principal of animal rights is essential, and must be established if our culture and legal system are ever to stop Animal Cruelty. Factory farming, Animal experimentation , Hunting for the fun of seeing an animal killed, the list is endless and are but examples of the the tyranny and oppression suffered by animals.
Lewis Pogson is a hero and whilst there are still people like him , there is hope that we might one day live in a civilized society..”
by peter, tonbridge
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 5:44PM
“Terry nutkin, are you terminally stupid? no i don't eat meat, and where does that argument end, shall we test on your kids to save mine? no thought not, animal testing does not work.”
by terry nutkin, at the zoo
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 5:12PM
“Huntingdon life science,blah,blah,blah,blah,give it a rest you lot of idioits,it is essential for life for stuff to be tested before human consumption,would you rather it was your kids being used instead? and do you not eat meat and animal products?i am an animal lover,but also am clever enough to understand what needs to be done.”
by Peter, Tonbridge
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 5:05PM
“These rabbits would have gone to Huntingdon Life Science, (acording to the newspaper version of this story) Workers were exposed on many occasions for animal cruelty, making up data, being drunk at work. Have a look on You tube under Huntingdon life science before you comment here. Lewis, if i were younger i'd have been with you.”
by N BRYANT, west sussex
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 5:03PM
“Send him down for a long time your Honour”
by ian, swanley
Monday, December 07 2009, 6:08PM
“No doubt this chap will get longer in jail than a murderer, rapist or child abuser.
Why so much fuss and money spent on the case, No one was harmed!”
by Steve, Kent
Monday, December 07 2009, 5:47PM
“We call ourselves a nation of animal lovers and yet we all sit back and let thousands of animals be tortured to death each year. If i met this guy in a pub, i'd shake his hand and buy him a drink.”
by sonia, kent
Monday, December 07 2009, 5:36PM
“This young man should get a medal. (if indeed he is guilty). He has put his liberty at risk for no personal gain. If anyone reading this, was in a lab waiting to be tested on, would you not want someone to campaign for you, and rescue you?
If animal testing worked our hospitals would be empty. The fact that the farm owner can have a fancy car say's it all, it's about MONEY. You wait and see, he will get longer in jail than any sex offender.”