[Washington Examiner] Every one of the 4,000 beagles in a controversial Virginia facility has been removed nearly two months after the mission to rescue the dogs began.Humane Society of the United States President and CEO Kitty Block announced the success of the operation of removing all the beagles from Envigo RMS LLC’s facility in Cumberland, Virginia, in a news release Friday.
"Our Animal Rescue Team’s work to transfer these beagles is a milestone in a fight we’ve been waging for years. It’s ironic that these dogs were only spared from a lifetime of pain, suffering and isolation in testing labs because this breeding facility was cited for Animal Welfare Act violations. Most of them would have been sold and spent their short lives in laboratories," Block said. "Many people don’t realize that an average of 60,000 dogs just like these are still used in laboratories each year. Even as we celebrate these lucky dogs going to loving homes, we’re focused on creating a future where no dogs will face that kind of fate."
The facility the beagles were held in was accused of mistreating the dogs, and a report from the Department of Agriculture found that there were over 300 puppy deaths at the facility from Jan. 1, 2021, to July 2, 2021.
Hundreds of people have adopted the rescued beagles, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle being one of the most prominent couples to have adopted one of the 4,000 beagles.
Miguel Abi-hassan, the chief animal rescue, care, and sanctuary officer for the Humane Society of the United States, said the partners working with the Humane Society of the United States have given the beagles a "new lease on life."
Related: ABC8 News - Envigo medical dog breeding facility to close after 8News investigation, federal complaint and PETA probe
