Animal Rights Activist Faces Extradition to US Over 2003 Bombings

Daniel San Diego accused in California bombings linked to animal testing

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A London court has ruled that alleged animal rights extremist Daniel San Diego, a 47-year-old U.S. citizen, can be extradited from Britain to the United States to stand trial over bombings in California in 2003 that were claimed by the Revolutionary Cells of the Animal Liberation Brigade. No one was injured in the incidents, which targeted companies with ties to animal testing firm Huntingdon Life Sciences.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between animal rights activists and companies involved in animal testing, with some activists resorting to extremist tactics like bombings in the past. The extradition of San Diego, who has been on the FBI's most-wanted terrorist list since 2009, could set a precedent for how such cases are handled across international borders.

The details

San Diego is accused of being involved in two bombings in California in 2003 - one targeting biotechnology firm Chiron Inc. near Oakland in August, and another targeting nutritional products company Shaklee a month later. Both attacks were claimed by the Animal Liberation Brigade, which said in a statement at the time: "This is the endgame for the animal killers and if you choose to stand with them you will be dealt with accordingly." Lawyers representing U.S. authorities said the targeted companies had links to British firm Huntingdon Life Sciences, which was long the focus of both lawful and criminal protests over animal testing.

  • The first bombing San Diego is charged with occurred in August 2003.
  • A second bombing claimed by the Animal Liberation Brigade occurred a month later in September 2003.
  • San Diego was found in Wales in November 2024, having been on the FBI's most-wanted terrorist list since 2009.

The players

Daniel San Diego

A 47-year-old U.S. citizen accused of being an alleged animal rights extremist involved in bombings in California in 2003.

Chiron Inc.

A biotechnology firm near Oakland, California that was targeted in one of the 2003 bombings.

Shaklee

A nutritional products company that was targeted in the second 2003 bombing claimed by the Animal Liberation Brigade.

Huntingdon Life Sciences

A British firm that was the focus of both lawful and criminal protests over animal testing, and had links to the companies targeted in the 2003 bombings.

Revolutionary Cells of the Animal Liberation Brigade

The group that claimed responsibility for the 2003 bombings in California.

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What’s next

The judge's ruling means Daniel San Diego can now be extradited from the UK to the US to stand trial over the 2003 bombings. His lawyers had argued he could not receive a fair trial, but the judge rejected those claims.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between animal rights activists and companies involved in animal testing, with some activists resorting to extremist tactics in the past. The extradition of Daniel San Diego could set a precedent for how such international cases are handled in the future.