UK forces face operational cuts without more cash, defence chief warns
UK military may cut operations without additional funding, warns defence chief.
BBC News1 min read
Hundreds of dogs to be sent to rescue as US beagle research facility shuts down
TL;DR
A Wisconsin beagle breeding and research facility is shutting down, with all dogs being rescued by a Florida group. Peta and other animal rights organizations celebrate this as a major victory against animal testing.
Key points
- A Wisconsin beagle breeding facility is shutting down.
- All dogs will be rescued by Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Florida.
- Peta celebrates the closure as a victory against animal testing.
- The closure follows years of pressure from animal rights organizations.
Mentioned in this story
PetaBig Dog Ranch RescueWisconsin
A beagle breeding and research facility in Wisconsin that has been the focus of animal rights protests is shutting down, and a rescue group in Florida is taking in the remaining dogs.
“Not one dog will remain,” Lauree Simmons, founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Florida, said in a press conference announcing the news on Monday. “No more breeding, no more testing, no more anything.”
Groups such as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) celebrated Monday’s news as a substantial step toward ending the practice of using animals for research.
“This victory is the culmination of years of pressure from Peta and other animal protection organizations … who challenged a system that breeds dogs and other animals only to be confined, mutilated, poisoned, and killed in laboratories,” said a statement from Peta.
“Peta will build on this momentum by continuing to work to end the use of dogs, primates, and other animals in experiments altogether and replace these cruel, scientifically flawed practices with cutting-edge, superior methods that offer real promise for treatments and cures.”
Protesters descended on the Ridglan Farms breeding and research facility in March and April in an attempt to free the beagles there. An estimated 1,000 activists clashed with police in April in another open rescue attempt for the dogs, resulting in 29 arrests, according to the Dane county sheriff’s department.
“Before the open rescue, activists called upon law enforcement, prosecutors, the governor [of Wisconsin, Tony Evers], humane officers, licensing boards, and judges to protect the dogs from Ridglan’s established, lengthy record of cruelty – without success,” said a statement from Chris Carraway, staff attorney at the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
After the April protests, Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy announced they reached an agreement with Ridglan Farms to buy 1,500 of the 2,000 beagles at the facility for an undisclosed price.
Q&A
Why is the beagle research facility in Wisconsin shutting down?
The facility is closing due to ongoing animal rights protests and pressure from organizations like Peta.
What will happen to the dogs from the Wisconsin facility?
All remaining dogs will be rescued by Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Florida, ensuring no dogs will be left behind.
How did Peta contribute to the closure of the beagle facility?
Peta and other animal protection organizations applied years of pressure to end the breeding and testing practices at the facility.
What are the future plans of Peta regarding animal testing?
Peta aims to continue advocating against the use of animals in research and promote alternative methods for treatments and cures.
