Two years after ‘rescuing’ five and then months later another 18 beagles from MBR Acres near Huntingdon, activists have released the first image of one of the dogs now living in the country with his new owners.
Animal Rising – a campaign group once known as Animal Rebellion – first entered the MBR Acres Cambridgeshire site in 2022, and in July last year nine of them were found guilty of aggravated trespass in relation to actions taken at MBR Acres. Sentences ranged from conditional discharges to fines.
“As part of the action, individuals entered the facility with a large banner reading ‘End Animal Testing’ and filmed conditions inside the kennels,” said a spokesperson for Animal Rising.
“This was the first action Animal Rising (then known as Animal Rebellion) took at the site in 2022.”
However, this was followed by the open rescues of 5 beagle puppies on 20/6/22 and 18 beagle puppies on 20/12/22.
“No one has been charged for rescuing the dogs kept at the site,” said the spokesperson.
Initially 12 people were charged with burglary after dogs were taken in 2022 from MBA Acres. However, the case was later dropped after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said that the legal test for going ahead had not been met and it was discontinued.
Animal Rising has released a photo of a beagle puppy “that we are calling Max to protect his identity.
“Max was rescued from MBR Acres in December of 2022 and has gone on to live a full and happy life of freedom and play.
“Max was one of 18 beagles that were rescued on 20/12/22 from MBR Acres, an animal testing and breeding facility that breeds around 2,000 beagles a year to later be sold for animal testing at 16 weeks old.
“None of the rescuers have been charged, despite all of them handing themselves in to the police with the intention of ‘putting animal testing on trial’ for saving the dogs from lives of torture and certain death that they would have lived had they remained at MBR Acres”.
The newly released photo of Max shows him sitting outside in the sun and grass.
The spokesperson said: “This is a stark difference from his former life in captivity, where he was trapped in an uncomfortable indoor enclosure at all hours of the day.
“Max’s companions describe him as friendly and loving towards all, and he loves to play with other dogs and cuddle with his human family. He’s able to go on adventures and has the freedom to explore, just as every dog should have.”
One of the rescuers, Ben Newman, 33, said: “It’s very touching to see Max thrive as a sociable and playful dog after being born into a life of abuse and confinement. Every dog deserves the chance to be ‘man’s best friend’ and live a life of love and care.
“We know that people love dogs and would rush to help them if they were hurt, and open rescue is no different. If we love animals, we have to move forward with the kindness needed to create a world where no animals are harmed for food, experimentation, or entertainment.”
The rescuers claim exploitation and cruelty that animals endure as justification for their actions.
Animal Rising also believe animal testing has proven to be unnecessary and ineffective and that there are more effective alternatives, such as lab-grown stem cells and advanced computer modelling that should form the next generation of ethical experimentation.
On its website it promises that in 2024 “our campaigns this year are going to be huge, putting our treatment of animals in the spotlight.
“We’ll be freeing animals, occupying farms, and disrupting cruel and outdated animal racing events. Everything we do is open and accountable”.
