WEST Vancouver police are investigating a possible case of animal rights-related vandalism at a West Vancouver boutique.
Sometime between the store's closing on Thursday last week and early Friday morning, someone spray-painted the letters "ALF" on the door of 1425 Clyde Ave., home to Glass House Couture and Jody's Fine Food and Catering. The vandal or vandals also spread a noxious-smelling substance in the area. Both acts are hallmarks of protest by members of the radical Animal Liberation Front, which targets businesses that sell fur and leather.
The store is owned by reality TV cast member Jody Claman, but police are not commenting on possible connections.
"We're confining ourselves to what we can confirm and not engaging in speculation beyond what we can confirm," said Const. Jeff Palmer, West Vancouver Police Department spokesman. "It's an active investigation. We have no identified suspect and we have no confirmed claim of responsibility to date."
The North Vancouver City Fire Department's hazardous materials team closed off Clyde Avenue until it could confirm the foul stench in the area was not a health hazard.
Police canvassed the area and are still looking for anyone who might have been in the area Thursday night and seen something suspicious.
While the type of attack is consistent with ALF tactics in the past, no one has stepped forward to take responsibility, according to Nicoal Sheen, press officer with the Animal Liberation Press Office, the arm's-length clearinghouse for activists to publicize their actions.
"It's really up to the creativity of this anonymous individual or individuals what they do, but spray-painting ALF or using the media or what you would describe as vandalism or marking a message through spray paint is common," she said.
Not every attack, however, ends with an ALF member claiming responsibility. "It's sporadic. It depends if the individual or individuals wanted to release a communiqué," Sheen added.
It has been known for people to carry out vandalism under the banner of ALF in order to frame the group as well, Sheen said.
ALF activists took credit for a paint attack on a North Vancouver furrier in May last year.
Claman, who was in Los Angeles at the time of the incident, could not be reached for comment according to her publicist.
