Various animal rights groups, the local council, and big names like the singer Morrissey have called on plans for a puppy breeding farm to be shelved. If the plans go ahead, the facility will become the U.K.’s second center for breeding beagles for vivisection.
The farm will be run by a company called B&K Universal. According to the BBC, B&K Universal currently imports puppies to a base located in Withernsea. With the new unit, the company will be moving to breed its own dogs.
Morrissey, former frontman of The Smiths, together with the campaign group PETA, has written to the British Home Secretary Theresa May to reconsider the idea. Morrissey, currently touring the U.K., recently played a concert in Hull, which is close to where the planned center will be located.
According to NME, Morrissey’s letter reads: “This hellhole would churn out thousands of dogs a year, confine them to a sterile prison and then sell them to laboratories to be injected, infected and dissected.”
The singer added: “Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of knowing a dog can tell you that they are friendly, loyal animals who should be sleeping in our beds, not dying for Botox and Viagra.”
Opposition to the beagle facility has also been voiced by Queen guitarist Brian May. May is quoted by the Hamilton Spectator as saying: “I am sickened to hear that this facility is to go ahead, ignoring the views of the public and local authorities, and condemning these best friends of man to thousands of unethical and unnecessary tests.”
Facilities like the one that plans to breed beagles for testing would argue there is no alternative. If consumers and regulators require safe and effective medications, then animal testing is a necessary part of the drug efficacy and safety process. Scientists against animal testing would counter argue that computer modelling and in vitro simulations of human organs can be used instead.
Meanwhile, as part of his dedication to animal welfare issues, Morrissey is also backing a pop-up shop at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in London. His debut novel, titled “List Of The Lost”, will be issued in paperback only and it is available in the U.K., Ireland, Australia, India, New Zealand and South Africa from September 24.
