Animal rights campaigners who broke into a controversial beagle breeding facility at Wyton near Huntingdon and rescued 18 puppies have avoided immediate prison time — in a dramatic case that has sparked national debate over animal testing in Britain.
Four of the five defendants convicted of burglary following the high-profile “Open Rescue” operation at MBR Acres in December 2022 were sentenced today at Cambridge Crown Court, bringing the first trial in the landmark case to a close.
The case is the first in UK history to put the “Open Rescue” tactic — where activists openly remove animals from facilities they believe are causing suffering — before a jury.
The trial has drawn widespread attention to the use of dogs in laboratory experimentation, as well as the legal limits of direct action taken in the name of animal welfare.
Suspended sentences handed down
Three of the Animal Rising campaigners were each given 18-month prison sentences, suspended for two years.
They were also ordered to complete 120 hours of community service and pay £860 towards court costs.
A fourth defendant was granted a conditional discharge lasting 18 months and told to pay £250 in court costs.
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The fifth defendant is still awaiting sentencing, as he faces a second trial linked to the rescue of five more beagle puppies from the same facility in June 2022. That trial is due to begin on 16 March 2026.
More trials still to come
The legal fallout from the beagle rescue is far from over.
A second group charged over the same incident was found not guilty in January 2026, while a third group was convicted earlier this month. A fourth group is expected to stand trial next week on 25 February 2026.
Campaigners speak out
One of those sentenced today, Nathan McGovern, said the group remained committed to ending animal experimentation despite the convictions.
“While we’re relieved to be spared immediate prison time, we absolutely understand the severity of the sentencing,” he said.
“However, our commitment to the beagles, and to phasing out the horrific and unnecessary suffering of animals in laboratories, hasn’t changed.”
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McGovern added that the case has shone a spotlight on the reality of breeding dogs for scientific testing.
“Britain sees itself as a nation of animal lovers, and many people feel deeply uneasy about dogs being used this way,” he said.
Spotlight on MBR Acres
During the original trial, jurors heard evidence about the defendants’ concerns over the conditions at MBR Acres, including allegations involving terminal blood testing and the harvesting of biological products from dogs.
The rescue has prompted widespread public discussion about the ethics and effectiveness of animal experimentation in the UK.
A petition calling for the closure of MBR Acres and the rehoming of all beagles at the site has now gathered more than 170,000 signatures.
About Animal Rising
Animal Rising has become known for high-profile civil disobedience campaigns, including blockades of major food industry sites, delaying the Grand National in 2023, and carrying out undercover farm investigations.
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The group says it will continue pushing for a future where animals are no longer used in laboratory testing.
