Litigation for Liberation
Litigation - Article Series: from All-Creatures.org Articles Archive

FROM

Beagle Freedom Project
May 2015

The spotlight our freed beagles shine on their continued use burns too brightly for experimenters' comfort. This is why most labs summarily kill all their animals, even if healthy, when the research is done. And this is why some labs, like those at the University of California, are even now violating Open Records laws and illegally withholding information about the dogs and cats they are keeping confined.

We are now suing to try to save them. Yep, it’s the newest effort to free more animals from laboratories.

Beagle Freedom Project is a mission to help animals made up of ‘Happy Warriors’. We proudly rescue survivors of experiments and tell their stories to raise much needed awareness on an oft forgotten issue. 99% of the time we do this with positivity; celebrating the first steps, cuddles, and comforts of freedom. No gore, no placards, no protests.

Laudable, right? Who could be opposed to this?

Sadly, still too many in the animal experimentation industry. The spotlight the freed beagles shine on their continued use burns too brightly for their comfort. This is why most labs summarily kill all their animals, even if healthy, when the research is done. And this is why some labs, like those at the University of California, are even now violating Open Records laws and illegally withholding information about the dogs and cats they are keeping confined.

On April 22nd, BFP filed suit against The University of California for their refusal to answer the most basic of Freedom of Information Act requests. BFP has repeatedly sought a census of all dogs and cats kept confined in the labs. Even though we the tax-payers pay hundreds of millions of dollars a year for these experiments, the school still has brazenly said “none of your business” when asked for just a modicum of accountability. Keeping a census is a legal requirement and BFP is legally entitled to it.

Beagle Freedom ProjectLabs like the University of California hate transparency. As opinion polls now show, the majority of Americans oppose animal-testing and support non-violent modern medical research this industry grows more opaque and defensive.

Too bad for them it won’t work. The law is on our side and the press attention is now only heightened. Articles abound about this suit, our Identity Campaign, more rescues, our legislation, and animal-testing in general.

This is the first of more suits to come. Our efforts to free these animals now can come from direct negotiation, policy pushes, public demand, and the judicial system. Happily we march forward and are so proud to have your backing!

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