There is activity globally and locally. The number of animal rights attacks is rising internationally as extremist "terror tourists" travel across Europe, according to data released by the national policing unit for domestic extremism. The data reveals that Britain, Sweden, the Netherlands and Italy are among EU countries experiencing the greatest increase.

Such attacks are a continuing U.S. headache, too. Early this month, University of Minnesota police had to increase patrols near the home of a medical school animal researcher after a posting on an animal rights activist website displayed his name and photograph and noted that “... we should not be surprised when the unconscionable violence inflicted upon animals is justifiably visited upon their tormentors.”