The first beagles rescued from a canine breeding and research center in Wisconsinthe scene of recent protests, seemed to quickly realize that they were safe.
“In less than an hour they started approaching us, looking for attention. Some climbed onto people’s laps. Each and every one of them is super affectionate”declared on Sunday Lauree Simmonspresident and founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue. “I think they love attention. I know they know they’re safe.”
Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy They negotiated a confidential deal to buy the 1,500 dogs for an undisclosed price from Ridglan Farms, where police used tear gas and pepper spray to repel activists trying to remove the beagles from the facility last month. Protesters also broke into the facility in March and took 30 dogs. The sheriff’s department referred 63 people to the district attorney for possible charges related to that raid.
Negotiations to purchase the animals began months before the April riots, and Simmons claimed his group had no connection to the protests. Now, Big Dog Ranch Rescue is collaborating with partners across the country to find homes for 1,000 of the dogs, while the Center for a Humane Economy will take care of the rest.
Simmons said her group has received more than 700 adoption applications, but it could take some time before the dogs are ready for their new homes as the organization screens potential owners, moves the animals to shelters across the country and makes sure the beagles are housebroken.
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The first 300 dogs were removed from Ridglan on Friday, with more planned to be removed over the next week. Animal welfare organizations have set up a transit area with playgrounds in Wisconsin, where dogs are being vaccinated, microchipped, sterilized and prepared for transport, Simmons explained. Big Dog Ranch Rescue has already begun moving dogs to its facility in western Palm Beach County, Florida.
“Younger dogs will adapt faster, and older dogs will take longer,” Simmons said. “Many of them are more willing to accept affection and want to be with people.”
Ridglan Farms did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
Beagles are the most commonly used breed of dog for animal testing, primarily because of their smaller size and docile temperament, Simmons said.
“A Belgian Malinois is not going to tolerate being tested, being confined in a kennel all its life”Simmons said, referring to the athletic sheepdogs often used by the police and military. “Beagles are so trusting, docile, calm and tolerant that they are the most chosen dogs for animal testing. And we are going to take one of the sweetest, kindest and most trusting breeds and mistreat her? This is wrong. This has to stop.”
Ridglan Farms agreed in October to give up its state breeding license effective July 1 as part of a deal to avoid being prosecuted for felony animal abuse charges. The company has denied mistreating the animals, but a special prosecutor determined that Ridglan Farms was performing eye procedures that violated state veterinary regulations.
About 1,000 activists from across the country descended on Ridglan Farms in the rural town of Blue Mounds, about 25 miles southwest of Madison, on April 18 with the intention of taking the beagles. They were met by police, who used tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray. The Dane County Sheriff’s Department reported that 29 people were arrested and five are facing home invasion charges.
Activists have filed a federal lawsuit in Wisconsin alleging that police used excessive force. Ridglan has claimed that those who tried to enter were a “violent mob” who launched “an assault on a federally licensed research center.”
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