The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) has been working to stop a UK farm that would breed thousands of beagles for laboratory experiments. Celebrity animal advocates Ricky Gervais and Brian May joined in the campaign.
Now, the BUAV has announced a victory! The organization says that Bantin & Kingman Ltd.’s building plans were rejected by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Governments. Along with the attention the campaign has received thanks to its celebrity supporters, BUAV also credits the over 28,000 people who signed their petition against the farm.
“We applaud the Communities Secretary for rejecting plans for a beagle breeding facility in Yorkshire to supply laboratories. Using dogs in tests is an issue that raises strong public concern, and this has been reflected in the huge response we have had for our campaign. This is a victory for public opinion, and of course the beagles,” said BUAV Chief Executive Michelle Thew.
The organization advocates for alternatives to animal testing, which they state is cruel and unnecessary. Thew said, “Not only is there a strong ethical case to end these outdated experiments, but a range of non-animal research techniques are now available that provide a humane approach to science which can be used instead of breeding dogs to suffer and die in experiments.”
Ricky Gervais is also celebrating the victory, tweeting yesterday “‘@thebuav: Victory for the beagles! Thank you @rickygervais for supporting the BUAV beagle campaign.’ My pleasure. And well done.”
If you want to see some more good news, check out this amazing video of rescued lab beagles as they’re freed for the first time!
About Jennifer Mishler
Jennifer is an animal advocate and activist. She is a volunteer coordinator with The Girls Gone Green, a nonprofit organization advocating for animals rights, veganism, and environmentalism. She is also an Onshore Volunteer with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and a volunteer with CJ Acres Animal Rescue Farm, a nonprofit that rescues and rehabilitates farm animals. Along with writing for Ecorazzi, she writes about veganism and animal rights on her blog, A Dog's Eye View. She lives in Jacksonville, FL with her husband and their three animal friends. Follow Jennifer on Twitter: @jennygoneveganView all posts by Jennifer Mishler →
} – 