Public outrage over animal testing has surged as the trial of 20 rescuers who removed 23 beagle puppies from MBR Acres approaches. The trial, set to begin on December 1, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing campaign against the Cambridgeshire breeding facility.
The activists were arrested for suspected burglary and aggravated trespass. Twenty rescuers will appear in court across five separate trials scheduled through to March 2026 in relation to both the June and December rescues. If found guilty, they face potential sentences of up to ten years in prison.
According to Animal Rising, the facility at Wyton near Huntingdon breeds up to 2,000 puppies annually, all destined to suffer in the name of “science.”
The rescuers say they intend to “put animal testing on trial” in a bid to expose the cruelty of the industry.
Orla Coghlan, Animal Rising spokesperson, said: “By spotlighting the cruelty of the animal testing industry in front of a jury of ordinary people, the industry will have nowhere to hide.”
The campaign has gained substantial public backing. More than 21,000 people have signed a petition calling for MBR Acres to be shut down and the beagles safely rehomed. The petition reads: “This is the UK’s chance to be a global leader in modern, humane testing methods that save lives without cruelty. It’s time to shut down MBR Acres for good.”
Animal Rising highlights that alternatives to animal testing already exist, including organ-on-a-chip technology, AI and advanced computer modelling, and human cell-based testing.
They claims these methods are “more accurate, more ethical, and they don’t require animal cruelty,”.
Animal Rising’s supporters are calling on the Home Office to safely rehome the beagles and immediately close MBR Acres, urging investment in humane, modern testing methods.
As the trial looms, Cambridgeshire residents and animal advocates alike are watching closely, hoping for a landmark moment that could reshape the future of animal research in the UK.
For those wishing to join the campaign, the petition “Save the Beagles: Shut Down MBR Acres” continues to gather signatures, amplifying the voice of public opinion against one of Cambridgeshire’s most controversial sites.
Exclusive: Policing Camp Beagle protest has cost Cambridgeshire Police up to £2.1 million since 2021
Meanwhile outside the MBR gates at Wyton, in all weather, at all hours, the campaigners and activists of Camp Beagle maintain their vigil. They have been there since June 2021, making theirs the longest-lasting animal rights protest camp of its kind in British history.
To learn more of the petition – and sign it – click the link below
