MBR Acres is a facility that breeds dogs for animal testing in the UK. The verdict was given after a 12-day trial at Cambridge Crown Court.
The five beagle puppies rescuers, photo: Animal Rising
The rescue happened in December 2022. The five defendants, Eben Lazarus, Ben Newman, Hannah Hunt, Nathan McGovern, and Lewis Elliot, entered MBR Acres and took the puppies. They said they did it to save the dogs from a life of suffering.
This is the first legal case in the UK involving the “Open Rescue” method. Activists openly enter animal facilities to remove animals and then speak publicly about their actions.
The five said they were honest and acted out of compassion. But the jury decided they were guilty under the UK’s Theft Act.
Photo a beagle puppy
More people are expected to go to court over the rescue. In total, 13 more individuals are facing burglary charges. Their trials are planned for January and February 2026.
’18 beagle puppies are alive’
After the verdict, Animal Rising co-director Ben Newman said: “The reality is that 18 beagle puppies are alive and free today because we took action. No verdict can erase that fact.”
“This case has shone a national spotlight on MBR Acres, and the cruelty of breeding dogs for experimentation, and the public response has been overwhelming,” he added.
During the trial, the court heard about the activists’ beliefs against animal testing. They spoke about a “bleeding license” used at MBR Acres, which allows for blood collection and terminal testing on healthy dogs. They also shared scientific sources that question the effectiveness of animal testing.
A petition asking the UK Home Office to shut down MBR Acres and rehome the dogs has already collected nearly 39,000 signatures.
The five activists say they stand by their actions, even if the court did not accept their defence.
“I respect the jury’s verdict, but I remain proud that 18 dogs were rescued from a life of experimentation and are now safe,” Hannah Hunt said.
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