Laurie Pycroft: Sixth form drop-out. Pro-vivisectionist. Blogger. Hero.
True, Mr Pycroft does not understand yet the true nature of the animal rights lobby and has yet to face the prolonged campaign of threats, intimidation and violence that must, sooner or later, be directed against him and his family. However, unlike the majority of us, he has made a stand. He has said what he believes, that is to say, that he considers that research involving tests upon animals is vital for making advances in medical science. The evidence that it does is overwhelming, but that has not prevented the rest of us, the silent majority, from keeping our heads down whenever the Animal Rights lobby come to Town.
Let me make it plain. Mr Pycroft is not for instance, a lab technician or a scientist dealing with animal experimentation. He is not linked in any way to the targets of the Animal Rights lobby’s ire. He does not hunt or shoot or in any way cause any “suffering” to animals. He has simply spoken his mind and set up a pro-vivisection website. In consequence, he has been targeted by the lobby. First, there has been the usual misinformation spread by the anti-vivisectionists. The Police have had to provide Mr Pycroft and his family with advice as to how to protect their property and keep safe.
The Animal Rights movement has declared War against people who have a different opinion to them. Their tactics are the same as against the scientists and others whom they seek to terrorise. As well as the threat of and use of violence, their targets are smeared.[1] Recent opinion polls have suggested that support for the antivivisection lobby is declining – a drop of ten per cent since 1995. Now more people support animal testing than do not. By all accounts the aggressive tactics of the lobby are proving counter-productive. Ordinary people are beginning to put their heads above the parapet and challenge the views of the animal rights movement. Hundreds of people, including students, scientists and members of the public, marched in