Release the Hounds! Beagle Puppies Freed From Animal Testing Breeder In The UK

 On December the 20th Animal Rebellion broke into the MBR research facility and freed 18 beagle puppies. MBR, MBR Acres is a giant multinational corporation that tests on animals all over the world including here in the UK. 

They breed around 2000 beagles a year to sell for testing which includes bleeding them to death and harvesting their organs as well as 'toxicity testing' which sees them injected with chemicals to see how toxic a substance is. These experiments are approved by the government who allow animal testing to continue in the UK. last year 4277 tests were carried out on dogs in the UK most of whom were beagles. 

Animal Rebellion broke in and saved 18 beagle puppies from their fate of being tortured to death and were arrested by Cambridgshire police; they could spend up to 10 years in prison for this, a figure I find ridiculous considering the light sentences others get for animal cruelty!

Cambridgeshire police commented “Police aim to ensure staff at the site can go about their lawful work, while protestors are able to express their views peacefully and safely, within the law.”

But this then raises the question of why we have these laws in the first place. Animal testing is not reliable and there are other ways of testing chemicals out their that don't involve animal testing. Cell cultures, human tissue and computer models are all other means of testing chemicals that are more reliable given that 90% of animal tests fail in humans.

                                       (photo source: plant based news)

What can you do?

Well firstly stop buying products tested on animals. Cosmetics, household products and unnecessary medicines all contribute to animal testing. Buying cosmetics from companies like MAC is directly funding animal tasting and is completely unnecessary when there are so many cruelty free brands that are accessible and cheaper!

Secondly, sign the petition to free the beagles!

After 6 years of being cruelty free I know how easy this is to do and it is a shame more people don't ensure they check if their products have been tested on animals. Although legislation needs to change, boycotting companies is a very powerful way of making your voice heard and every penny and purchase counts. 

There are some great places to buy cruelty free even on the high-street with Holland and Barret and Body Shop being firm favorites of mine. Other items that it is important to check are cleaning products and anything hygiene related. 

Many people like to justify animal testing through some form of warped medical utilitarian perspective, where the ends justify the means. Our overreliance on medicine and medical care to become a safety net for a lifetime of bad decisions and lack of self awareness allows big pharma to continue evil practices like animal testing. As long as there are markets for more and more drugs there will continue to be excuses for animal testing and other unethical medical and scientific practices.