(a) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) The caring, rearing, feeding, breeding, and sale of animals and animal products and the use of animals in research, testing, and education represent vital segments of the economy of the state;
(2) Producers and others involved in the production and sale of animals and animal products and the use of animals in research and education have a vested interest in protecting the health and welfare of animals and the physical and intellectual property rights which they have in animals; and
(3) There has been an increasing number of illegal acts committed against farm animal and research facilities.
(b) The General Assembly further finds that these illegal acts threaten the production of agricultural products and jeopardize crucial scientific, biomedical, or agricultural research.
(c) Finally, the General Assembly finds that these illegal acts threaten the public safety, by exposing communities to contagious diseases and damage research.