The first beagles removed from a Wisconsin dog breeding and research facility have begun to show they know they are safe, with many seeking human attention and climbing into laps. Lauree Simmons, president and founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, said the dogs started coming up to people within an hour of their rescue.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy negotiated a confidential agreement to purchase the 1,500 dogs from Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. The purchase follows protests at the facility last month, during which police used tear gas and pepper spray against activists attempting to take beagles. Talks had been under way for months before the April disturbance.
The rescue group is working with partners across the country to find homes for 1,000 of the dogs, while the Center for a Humane Economy is taking the rest. More than 700 adoption applications have been received, but it may take time before the hounds are ready, as the organisation screens potential owners and moves animals to shelters.
The first 300 dogs were removed on Friday, with more scheduled over the next week. A staging area with play yards has been set up in Wisconsin, where the dogs are being vaccinated, microchipped, spayed or neutered and prepared for transport. Some have already been moved to Florida.
Simmons said beagles are the most common breed used for animal testing because of their small size and gentle temperament, calling the practice wrong. Ridglan Farms agreed in October to give up its state breeding licence as of 1 July as part of a deal to avoid prosecution on felony animal mistreatment charges, while denying mistreatment.
The facility was the scene of a large protest on 18 April, when about 1,000 activists attempted to take beagles. Police arrested 29 people and five face felony burglary charges. Activists have filed a federal lawsuit alleging unnecessary force, while Ridglan has described the protesters as a "violent mob".
