loose-knit groups focus their attacks each in their own way .

Rational people can easily see the fallacies of the animal extremists when viewed in a very limited setting — say , when conflict with large predators arises .

Reasonable individuals support a logical fix to ensure the safety of people and society at large . However , those usually sensible citizens begin to falter when animal activists offer outlandish alternatives laced with emotional language . Still , rational folks can grasp that the extremists ’ solution is a bit out there .

However , something insidious happens when the various components of the movement work in tandem . The most extreme splinter groups , those advocating for “ direct action ,” make the rest of the factions seem far more reasonable than history has proven . Direct-action activists believe in taking justice into their own hands as animal “ vigilantes .” Groups like Animal Liberation Front , Sea Shepherd and Direct Action Everywhere encourage attacking universities , laboratories , businesses and people , such as hound hunters . They ’ ve used firebombing , burglary , piracy and assault to advance their agenda .

These vigilante groups make organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ( PETA ) or Wolf Patrol seem less unhinged by comparison . But they ’ re not . PETA is the master of media manipulation . The group ’ s actual impact on

ADOBE STOCK ( 4 )