Animal rights activists have claimed responsibility for a fire bomb attack on a rabbit farm near Market Rasen.

Highgate Farm, which breeds rabbits for vivisection, was targeted last Thursday when activists threw a petrol bomb at the home of Geoff Douglas.

Luckily, it did not take hold and left minimal damage. But a second device hit a Mercedes van parked nearby which gutted the interior. It happened in the early hours of the morning while Mr Douglas and his wife slept.

It was the latest in a string of attacks on the farm in Normanby-by-Spital.

Yesterday, an e-mail was sent to the Echo, Market Rasen People's sister newspaper, which contained details of the attack and threats to Mr Douglas and his property.

It came via animal rights magazine Bites Back, based in Palm Beach, Florida, in the US. It said: "Activists had made sure that the posh conservatory off the main building was unoccupied and with the loud alarm system that was triggered by our arrival it meant that there was no chance of any harm being done to the Douglas family even though their large house and large gardens have been paid for out of the blood money of the thousands of rabbits and ferrets they have sent off to torture labs.

"The remaining one delivery van used to drive animals to their deaths was put out of action. We will continue to watch you and you will never know when we will strike next. Rest assured, while you profit from this disgusting genocide, we will be there to make you experience just a tiny amount of the fear that you help to cause to those innocent, beautiful creatures.

"We will target you in your comfortable home, remember when you look out each evening, it could be tonight we'll return.

"It is time to retire from the animal abuse industry and give up the animals for rehoming, we will not be patient anymore. We will get more serious, we promise to make it our goal to stop you once and for all, don't make the mistake of under-estimating us, we will not back down. Until the next visit."

The message was signed "Provisional RSPCA", but it is thought the name is false.

On Saturday, April 3, 2010, an Easter Bunny Demo was organised by activists in a Close Highgate Farm campaign.

On their website, which also features details of other demonstrations and pictures of rabbits in cages, it said: "Highgate Farm breeds rabbits and other small animals for the vivisection industry. They were exposed in 2008 when 129 rabbits were rescued from living in bare cages full of excrement and urine.

"Following this, Highgate stopped supplying animals for a while, only to be convinced by the police to carry on. One of their customers is the notoriously cruel Huntingdon Life Science, who have been exposed many times of animal cruelty and law breaking."

Lincolnshire Police spokesman James Newall said: "We are aware of this internet posting and it is informing our on-going inquiry. We are still appealing for witnesses. Anyone who may have information, we would urge to come forward."

If you have any information regarding the latest attact, call Lincolnshire Police on 0300 1110300 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.