The FBI is investigating threats of physical harm against more than 40 public officials who oppose a ballot proposition on the humane treatment of farm animals, according to a Mohave County official and the anti-proposition group.

Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson said he is one of the officials named in e-mail that someone sent to the No on Prop 204 group.

“I think it's a terrorist act,” stated Johnson. “It is very serious, especially when it is against a public official because they are trying to taint the way [residents] vote.”

Johnson read the e-mail, but due to the ongoing investigation, could not comment on its substance beyond the threat of physical harm against the named officials and their families.

Proposition 204 is one of 19 ballot measures before voters this year, and would require hog and cattle farmers to provide enough room for pregnant pigs and calves being raised for veal to lie down and move about freely in their pens.

Friday morning in Phoenix, Johnson attended a press conference held by the No on Prop 204 group.

“I told them our country protects different points of view. We have the right to assemble and protest. We live in a free society,” he stated. But threats cross the line, Johnson added.

The Mohave County Sheriff's Office had not received any information on the case as of Friday afternoon, spokesperson Trish Carter said. The FBI officer responsible for the investigation could not be reached for comment.

No on Prop 204 spokesman Ian Calkins said he receives “hate mail” on a regular basis from animal rights groups.

“I would like to write it off as a nutcase, but we take a threat like that extremely seriously.”

According to Calkins, the perpetrator apparently went to their Web page to obtain the names of No on Prop 204 supporters. Then the perpetrator subsequently sent an e-mail containing the threat and the list of names to the No on Prop 204 organization. The list on the Web site contains more than 40 Arizona elected officials, including Johnson, State Representative Russell Pearce (R-Mesa), State Senator Jake Flake (R-Snowflake) and the mayors of Williams and Snowflake.

The endorsement list also includes veterinarians, dairy farmers and others, but they were not mentioned in the threat, Calkins stated.

This is not the first time the supervisor representing Lake Havasu City in District 3 has received a threat. One anonymous caller made a threat against his life in 1998, Johnson said, while in another instance, vandals torched his car while it sat in his driveway for no apparent reason.

“I figure I can protect myself. I feel secure, but I worry about other people,” said Johnson.

From a group that dotted the state with “It's hogwash” signs, No on Prop 204 is funded by Arizona Cattle Feeders Association, Arizona Pork Council, and Arizona Farm Bureau Federation, among others.

Calkins said this is the first threat to specifically name public officials and their families. In a statement, No on Prop 204 said: “These public officials have the courage to stand up to intimidation tactics and will publicly denounce these criminal acts,” adding that some have accused the group of using the issue as a publicity ploy.

You may reach the reporter at hays@havasunews.com