Beagles rescued from pesticide testing up for adoption
(FOX 2) - Dozens of beagles that underwent pesticide testing at a Michigan lab are gearing up for life far away from research and chemicals.
"We are always looking for a way to help companion animals in our community," said Anna Chrisman of the Michigan Humane Society.
The new way of life comes after the Humane Society released results of an undercover investigation that led to public outcry and Dow AgroSciences putting a stop to the testing of 36 beagles that would have been killed after the testing was completed so that their organs can be assessed for damage.
Beagles freed from lab test arrive at Michigan Humane Society
The undercover investigation was conducted between April and August 2018 at Charles River Laboratories in Mattawan, Mich., they said, which is about 150 miles west of Detroit. The HS says it it documented nearly two dozen experiments that involved animal testing.
"Our investigator, who spent nearly 100 days at the facility, documented the dogs cowering, frightened, in their cages with surgical scars and implanted with large devices. Dogs being force-fed or infused with drugs, pesticides and other products, using crude methods, many that are unlikely to ever be used in humans," the Humane Society said on its website.
The society says their investigator saw beagles being force-fed fungicides, with some subjected to very high doses. The report alleges that in some cases up to four capsules were shoved down the dogs' throats.
Last month, Dow tweeted: "Animal testing is not something Dow undertakes lightly, but neither is it something the Company can discontinue when it is required by regulatory authorities. Dow keeps its use of animal testing to an absolute minimum. Dow is committed to finding alternatives to animal testing and has established a Predictive Toxicology team dedicated to this goal."
But activists pushed to get the 32 surviving beagles released and now they're in the care of the Michigan Humane Society.
"We had an opportunity present itself where we were able to assist particular set of animals and happy to do so," Chrisman said.
But dogs that undergo testing and are used to life in a lab now need to adjust for life in a home. Chrisman says they're no undergoing medical evaluation and behavior assessments.
Humane Society: Beagles being force-fed pesticides in tests at Michigan lab
The Michigan Humane Society says the public's response to the beagles is overwhelming, but they are still working to get adoption procedures in place.
Anyone interested in one of the beagles should check out the Michigan Humane Society's Facebook and Instagram to learn about the process.