There’s an old expression: Be the person your mom and dog think you are. No one loves us as unconditionally as our moms or our pets. Our pets are family and the law has begun to recognize that to a greater extent. Every state in the union now bans animal cruelty. Just a few weeks ago, President Trump signed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act providing substantial punishments — including up to seven years imprisonment — for those who abuse animals. This federal ban criminalizes animal abuse, animal fighting,…
Category: In The Press
Beaverton students learn a civics lesson in saving lives
BEAVERTON — Here’s some good news at the tail end of a particularly contentious political year. It’s a story of how a group of Beaverton fifth-graders navigated the intense and dramatic legislative session to help a few animals find good homes. The story begins in 2018, when fifth-grade teacher Courtney Yeager of Beaverton’s Elmonica Elementary was in the middle of teaching a unit on the United Nations’ Global Goals. Students chose to work on goal 15, which has to do with protecting the earth and animals. As part of the…
Laboratory Cats And Dogs In Oregon Have To Be Put Up For Adoption
Starting in January, research facilities in Oregon will be required to place the dogs and cats they no longer need into shelters for adoption. The idea was championed by fifth-grade students at Elmonica Elementary in Beaverton. The class heard about the ‘Beagle Freedom Project’ in California and successfully got Oregon lawmakers to sign on. The project has gotten bills approved in 11 states that researchers put their dogs and cats up for adoption. Founder Shannon Keith said despite being caged most of their lives, the animals make great pets. She…
Judge: University of Missouri violated Sunshine Law with high estimate
The University of Missouri lost a major Sunshine Law case Friday involving records sought by an animal rights group. Circuit Judge Jeff Harris ruled the university violated the law by estimating it would cost more than $82,000 to fulfill the records request. In his ruling, Harris ordered the university to pay a $1,000 fine for a “knowing” violation of the law and the attorneys’ fees for the case filed by the Beagle Freedom Project in May 2016 and tried by Harris in July. “Defendants’ cost estimate was contrary to the…
Boone County judge rules against University of Missouri in open records lawsuit
A Boone County judge has sided with an animal rights organization in its lawsuit claiming the University of Missouri charged an excessive price for records about animals used in research. The Beagle Freedom Project sued MU in May 2016 after the university gave an estimate of $82,222 to fulfill a request for records about animals used in research. The request was part of a larger Beagle Freedom Project campaign that included requests to at least a dozen universities, most of which provided the records at little or no cost, according…
Judge rules MU violated Sunshine Law in animal rights group's suit
MU knowingly violated the Missouri Sunshine Law by overestimating the cost of providing records to an animal rights group, a Boone County Judge ruled Friday. After it was told a records request would cost over $82,000, the group Animal Rescue, Media & Education, also known as the Beagle Freedom Project, sued the university and the UM System records custodian, Paula Barrett, in May 2016. The group wanted documents for 179 dogs and cats used in MU research, experiments and testing. “After hearing the evidence, the Court finds that there is…
Dogs rescued from Mexico animal testing facility get new leash on life
VALLEY VILLAGE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Several adorable pups made their way across the Mexico border to Valley Village after spending most of their lives in an animal testing facility. Beagle Freedom Project (BFP) was able to secure their release and get them on the road to freedom. They took their first steps of freedom on grass and into the loving arms of those who work each day to make sure they get to live after the testing. “I’m so surprised that they are so sweet considering what’s been done…
'They are living, breathing creatures': EPA plans to eliminate animal testing
LINCOLNTON, N.C. – The Environmental Protection Agency plans to phase out animal testing by 2025 and completely eliminate it by 2035. The Beagle Freedom Project in Lincolnton has rescued more than 2,500 animals by changing the laws in 11 states and asking companies to give the animals to them after testing is done. Eyewitness News reporter Ken Lemon talked to the vice president of the organization, April Arrington, who said they are enthusiastic about the EPA’s decision. While speaking with Arrington, Lemon also met a dog named Winnie. Channel 9…
BFP interviewed by Marilyn Milano
Today we were honored to speak with April Arrington, VP of Beagle Freedom Project. This is a world wide organization dedicated to the rescue of laboratory animals, and to placing animals in sanctuaries or homes once the research is done. This is an amazing organization doing vital work. Please support them if you are able! Original Article: Marilyn Milano Radio
Hope for Thousands of Beagles Used in Laboratory Experiments
In the United States we still use millions of animals in laboratory experiments. It’s a secretive industry and I think, many people are under the impression that it ended years ago. Not only is it still huge, but we test on just about every type of animal one can imagine, including dogs. 70,000 dogs a year are used in laboratory experiments and a great majority of them are beagles. The heartbreaking reason that beagles are so often the dog of choice is because they’re docile, sweet, trusting, and they don’t…
Trial ends in animal rights group's Sunshine Law suit against university
Animal rights group Beagle Freedom Project made its case this week that the University of Missouri violated the state’s Sunshine Law in a two-day bench trial of the group’s lawsuit against the university. Beagle Freedom Project’s 2016 lawsuit alleges that the university knowingly and purposefully violated the Sunshine Law when it billed the group $82,222.33 for public health records of dogs and cats used in medical research. Boone County Circuit Judge Jeff Harris said he will rule in the case after final findings and conclusions are submitted by both parties…
Laboratory animals from Mexico getting fresh start in NC
LINCOLNTON, N.C. (WBTV) – Several animals got a real taste of freedom recently after a life behind the bars of animal testing labs. The animals were brought across the border from Mexico on Friday by the Beagle Freedom Project. The rescue group for former research animals brought them to a farm sanctuary in Lincolnton. The four dogs, five rabbits and two mice are now beginning a brand new life. “When dogs touch grass for the first time, it’s an incredible experience,” said April Arrington of the Beagle Freedom Project. “These…