Man from York arrested after dogs are stolen from a research facility
A man from York is among 14 people arrested after dogs were stolen from a research facility.
Police officers were called to MBR Acres in Wyton, Cambridgeshire, just before 6am on Tuesday to reports of a break-in and “protesters at the front gates”.
Protest group Animal Rebellion said in a statement 12 of its supporters got inside the facility at 5.30am and took 18 beagles.
MBR Acres described the protesters as “extremists” and said their actions “placed stress on our animals and staff”.
A Cambridgeshire Police spokesman said: “Three people were arrested on suspicion of burglary – a 29-year-old man from Sheffield, a 23-year-old man from York and a 33-year-old woman of no known address.
“Dogs were stolen from the site but there is no precise number at this time.
“Officers also arrested nine people on suspicion of aggravated trespass in connection with the protest.”
Twelve people are in custody at Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough, police said, with a further two people at Stevenage Police Station.
In photographs released by Animal Rebellion, protesters appeared to pass a dog over the top of a metal fence.
The protesters wore pink T-shirts saying “Put Animal Testing On Trial” and “What Would You Do If This Was Your Dog?”
Animal Rebellion said its activists risked spending Christmas in custody.
MBR Acres said it is “a fully licensed establishment and a lawful breeder of beagle dogs that are specially bred for human and animal research in an environment compliant with our licenses”.
A statement said: “This is work required by the medicines regulator in the UK.
“We remain proud of what we do every day because our work allows the progress of medicine to improve – and often save – the lives of humans and animals.”
Protests at the site hit the headlines in November 2021 when singer Will Young was involved in a demonstration.