LOS ANGELES -- The FBI is investigating the firebombing of a vehicle belonging to a UCLA neuroscientist who uses animals to study schizophrenia and drug addiction, officials said Monday.
The professor's car was the target of a suspicious arson as it was parked outside his home on Saturday, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said. No one was hurt.
The Animal Liberation Front posted a message in which the Animal Liberation Brigade claimed responsibility for the bombing on its Web site Monday. The bombing is the latest in a series of violent acts against UCLA researchers, university spokesman Phil Hampton said.
UCLA and several local and federal agencies have offered a combined $445,000 in rewards for information on five separate incidents aimed at UCLA faculty who use animals in medical research.
"The actions of extremists who use violent and illegal tactics are utterly reprehensible and beyond contempt," UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said.
In April, the university obtained a preliminary injunction that prohibits the harassment of staff involved in animal research and bans posting researchers' personal information online and in fliers.
