The Final Beagle Rescue Trial Begins Tomorrow

Dear friends,

Tomorrow, the final Beagle Rescue Trial - number five - begins. Nearly four years after Ben, Beau, and I rescued five puppies from MBR Acres in June 2022, we will face burglary charges and a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.

I wanted to write to you ahead of my upcoming trial. Many of you will remember the beagle rescue in June 2022. The previous rescue of beagles from MBR Acres had happened in the 1990’s, and everyone told us it would be impossible to ever do the same again. However, after seeing the puppies inside MBR Acres during a protest the day before, we knew we had to try.

So in the early hours of June 20th 2022, we successfully cut through fences, entered sheds, and took five beautiful dogs to their freedom, where they now live and thrive in safe family homes.

We handed ourselves in immediately and took full responsibility for the rescue, arguing that it was not illegal, and the authorities had every piece of evidence from day one. We were charged with burglary. A matter of weeks later, the charges were discontinued due to an alleged lack of evidence...

Yet they chose to charge us again nearly three years later, in March 2025, just two months before my daughter was due to be born. It’s strange to be charged so long after the fact, especially when everything was already in the open. My only guess is that, at the time, the level of public support made them hesitant to shine a spotlight on what was happening inside those facilities.

The trial is finally here, and I hope that same support continues. Whether it’s the thousands of you who have shown your support by signing our petition, sharing on social media, and donating to support the campaign, or the dozens of MPs and celebrities who’ve signed our open letter. The bottom line is this: MBR Acres’ days are numbered.

We’ve seen four Beagle Rescue Trials return an even split of acquittals and convictions, and we are hoping to end on a win now

Whatever the outcome, guilty or not guilty, I know what we did was morally right. I hope that the jury will feel that too. If we are found guilty, I believe history will vindicate us when animal testing is finally where it belongs: in the past.

And whatever happens, it seems my daughter already has her own view. This is how I prepared for trial this weekend: playing with family and reminding myself of what really matters.

Thank you for standing with us, for the dogs, for compassion, and for a future where this kind of rescue is no longer needed.

With love and courage,

Dan Kidby,

Animal Rising Co-Founder

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Your regular donations power the campaign to shut down MBR Acres and provide vital support to beagle rescuers throughout the trial process. You can donate here, or sign up for an adoption pack with your monthly donation.