Update: Around 4,000 beagles from Va. breeder to be released

[Jilly_in_VA]

After years of 8News’ investigative reports and undercover operations by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a judge has sealed the fate of approximately 4,000 beagles that were bred and sold for experimental purposes at Envigo’s Cumberland County facility.

On Tuesday, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Norman K. Moon approved the transfer plan for the puppies and dogs in Envigo’s care in Central Virginia in tandem with the company itself.

“That plan gives those parties a total of 60 days from its approval, which was yesterday, to expeditiously, safely, humanely remove every single last dog and puppy from that facility, and the Humane Society of the United States [HSUS] is the sole party that’s going to manage that transfer,” PETA Vice President of Evidence Analysis Dan Paden said. “HSUS is then apparently going to transfer those animals to animal shelters and rescues over the ensuing months, as much as possible on the East Coast and in the Midwest, I think, to minimize the amount of time those animals have to be transported.”

Speaking with 8News on Wednesday, Paden said that he expects the Envigo beagles to be released by the end of July and beginning of August, many of them likely to stay in Central Virginia. A spokesperson for HSUS said that the nonprofit is still hammering out specifics on where and when the dogs and puppies will be available for adoption.

“Envigo is, by the plan, going to give $100 per dog, and $150 per nursing mother with a litter younger than 8 weeks old, to help defray the costs that SPCAs, humane societies and rescues are going to incur caring for these animals and sheltering them until homes can be found for that many animals,” Paden said.

https://www.wric.com/news/taking-action/around-4000-beagles-from-controversial-cumberland-breeding-facility-to-be-released-for-adoption-in-coming-months/

These dogs will be pretty much like any other puppy mill dog, I imagine. And don't give Dumbkin any credit for this; the credit goes mostly to WRIC-TV, Richmond, and the legislators who pushed the bill through.

[imaginary girl]

1. Glad they'll go to homes, but ...

The money per dog to rescue groups is very low compared to the time and effort that will be needed to care for all those dogs, many of whom will need training and rehabilitation (not to mention potential vet work).

[Jilly_in_VA]

3. A lot of them

will probably go to foster homes first. I work with the foster program at our shelter, and I can't say enough for our foster pet parents, who are all volunteers and do it strictly for the love of animals. A couple of weeks ago we had a little dog come in who was quite obviously a puppy mill dog. He was some kind of "designer breed" of the toy variety (don't get me started on "designer breeds", aka mutts!) and exhibited a lot of the typical puppy mill behaviors of an older dog--pacing, stepping gingerly (typical of a dog who's spent a lot of its life in a wire cage), wouldn't make eye contact, shrinking from touch, etc. The foster was doing a great job with him but it was going to take awhile.

[imaginary girl]

5. I've fostered for 8 years now

I agree it's invaluable. But my guess is they'll try to put as many in homes right away as possible due to the sheer volume of dogs in this case. Agree it's a long road for puppy mill dogs. My current foster was pulled from an abusive hoarding case, and would not eat or drink with people around in the beginning. He was semi feral (had been around people, but never had a positive touch experience.) We've slowly built up trust through patience and games-based training. He'll lie against us or on our legs, but otherwise still doesn't like us to touch him.

[Jilly_in_VA]

6. If you read the article again

(Please do, the whole article!) HSUS is putting them up and down the whole East and northeast, so there will probably be a lot of homes. The ones they'll try to place immediately will most likely be the puppies, who won't be too difficult. I mean, who can turn down baby Snoopy, right? The older dogs will take a little longer, and more patient fosters, but Beagle Rescue is a BFD, in the words of a former VP, so I think they'll do fine. Some have already been adopted by VA legislators even.

[Bayard]

2. Glad and sad at the same time

So glad these dogs will finally have a chance at a normal life. I really hope they find good, kind, patient, and loving homes. Sad that they were bred for experimentation.

Beagles, like retired Greyhounds, are desirable as test subjects because they are docile, and will take about anything humans dish out--usually with their tails wagging.

[Frustratedlady]

4. This makes me ill. We just had to put our beagle to sleep on the 4th of July and are heartbroken.

How cruel to use these wonderful dogs for tests. Our beagle was so trusting and loyal, I can't mentally let him go.

[Bayard]

7. I'm so sorry to hear this

I've been there.