Whistle blower's video: Petition to ban use of dogs for toxicology tests reaches over 200,000 signatures 5 rescuers of 18 beagle puppies found guilty

   

5 Animal rights activists have been found guilty of burglary after rescuing 18 beagle puppies 

from MBR Acres.

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.

   The Animal Reader

Rescuers Save 12 Dolphins After Mass Stranding In Two-Day Effort In Cape Cod ( 4 photo's )

https://worldanimalnews.com/ 

Photos by: Julia Cumes/ IFAW

Over the weekend, a coordinated marine mammal rescue operation in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, led to the successful rescue and release of multiple dolphins after a series of strandings. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) received the first call to its Stranding Hotline just before 8 AM on Saturday, reporting several dolphins swimming in Chipman’s Cove. This area is a known stranding hotspot due to its shallow bays, shifting tidal flats, and hook-like geography, which can confuse and trap marine mammals.

Soon after the report, IFAW volunteers confirmed the presence of 12 dolphins in the cove. With low tide expected at 10:30 AM, the window for action was tight. IFAW’s team of experts mobilized quickly, deploying trained responders and equipment to the scene in a race against the changing tides. Their rapid response was crucial to guiding the dolphins back to deeper waters and preventing further strandings.

“These strandings happen fast, and every minute counts,” said Nicole Hunter, rescue manager at IFAW. “Our teams worked through rising heat, shifting tides, and difficult terrain to reach and support these dolphins. We know each animal is an individual life, and every rescue is an act of hope.”  

At the time of low tide, multiple animals began stranding at several locations in Wellfleet. In total, seven of the twelve dolphins stranded, with some still swimming in water.

By midday, those seven animals were extracted into IFAW’s custom-built mobile dolphin rescue unit, the remaining five continuing to swim in Wellfleet Harbor. The transported dolphins received veterinary treatments, including IV fluids and supportive care, to keep them as cool and comfortable as possible as they reached the release site off Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown. 

Volunteers remained on alert overnight. Early Sunday morning, five dolphins were re-sighted in the Herring River Gut in Wellfleet. One died prior to the team’s arrival, and the four live animals were transported and released into deeper water, also off Herring Cove Beach.

All of the released dolphins swam off strongly, with one dolphin each day fitted with a satellite tag to allow for continued monitoring after release. All 12 dolphins involved in the two-day rescue were common dolphins, a species regularly seen in the waters around Cape Cod. The group was made up of six males and six females, representing a mix of age classes, from juveniles to subadults and adults.

IFAW has responded to a total of 100 dolphin and porpoise stranding events so far this year across Cape Cod and southeastern, MA. Even with decades of experience, situations like this demand rapid mobilization of staff, volunteers, veterinarians, and specialized response equipment. This weekend’s events included collaboration with the Cape Cod National Park Service.

“To see dolphins stranded is always heartbreaking,” continued Hunter. “What sustains us—the rescue teams, the volunteers, the veterinarians—is seeing those same animals swim away. It reminds us why we do this work.” 

To report a live or stranded marine mammal, text or call IFAW’s Stranding Hotline at (508) 743‑9548.