A SOUTH Lakeland activist took part in break-in at MBR Acres in Cambridgeshire where 18 beagles were 'rescued' from the facility.

A group of activists from Animal Rebellion, an organisation that fights for animal justice, freed 18 dogs from Cambridgeshire animal testing breeding facility MBR Acres.

The 12 protesters, including Hannah Hunt from Endmoor, near Kendal, remained on-site to accept responsibility for the action, risking a maximum sentence of 10 years if charged with burglary.

Police arrested 14 people in connection with burglary and aggravated trespass offences and they have since been released on conditional bail until next year.

The 18 dogs have still not been recovered.

MBR said: "MBR Acres 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. Unfortunately, extremists, including long-time activists, are committing unlawful and dangerous activities each day against our business and staff. On top of this continuous harassment, today this has included breaking into the site and entering our buildings to steal our dogs for a second time this year.

"We are appalled by these actions. Dogs bred for research need careful rehabilitation not to be harmed by a sudden change to their environment. This unlawful extreme action has placed stress on our animals and staff by totally disrupting our daily activity to take care for the welfare of our dogs on site."

Animal Rebellion said they intend to put "animal testing on trial" and that a jury finding them not guilty of any wrongdoing will send a clear message that testing on beagles and other animals cannot continue.

The Westmorland Gazette: Hannah Hunt from Endmoor participated in the rescue Hannah Hunt from Endmoor participated in the rescue (Image: Submitted)

Hannah, 23, said: "Sometimes we have to break the law to do the right thing. It's not an easy thing to do, but it has to be done. The fact is, animal testing is outdated and completely unnecessary. There is no need to subject animals to the torture they suffer, a life we would never impose on a pet or loved one.

"To play a role in putting testing on trial, and to save even one of the thousands of puppies bred here, is worth any consequence the law can throw at me. I am a young woman, my whole future is ahead of me, but I am willing to risk it to create a better world for all animals - human and nonhuman alike."

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire police said: "Two dogs recovered by our officers following a break-in at MBR Acres in, Wyton, Cambridgeshire, have been returned to the company.

"We recognise the strong feelings this issue has raised in many people, however, we had no legal justification to retain the dogs and therefore were compelled to return them.

"In response to concerns raised, we contacted the Home Office, which confirmed MBR Acres is a licensed establishment and recent inspections of the site confirm it is compliant with the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and, therefore, its licence.

"The Home Office and its Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU), which administers and enforces the 1986 Act, supported the return of the dogs for their wellbeing.

"Eighteen further dogs were taken and have not been recovered."