I love dogs. I have had a dog by my side every day of my life. I even brought my pup home from Peace Corps with me. (No, he did not bark in English.) Dogs are my happy place.
I am appalled by what has been happening right here in Dane County. Beagles, bred because of their sweet natures, have been subjected to cruel animal experimentation for decades.
The people and organizations with the power to put an end to this animal cruelty have not yet done so. After over a decade of tireless advocacy, the rescuers felt they had exhausted all traditionally defined options within the system set up to protect animals. They showed up with ordinary tools to cut fences and with love in their hearts to accomplish a simple goal: rescue the beagles. They were met by an extreme reaction from law enforcement. They were showered with tear gas and rubber bullets.
Antiquated laws allow for the horrific experimentation on innocent beagles. Unjust laws need to be changed. It’s time for animal cruelty to end. Science has evolved and non-animal methods are readily available that outperform data obtained from animal experimentation.
I am doing everything I can to get the dogs to safety. Just last week, 1,500 dogs were purchased by national animal rights groups. It was among the highest honors of my life to be on site, welcoming the freed beagles to love and safety. I helped carry them from the bus to their future. For the first time in their lives, they breathed in fresh air and felt grass under their feet. They will all soon be adopted into loving, furever homes.
I stand with justice. I stand with the beagles.
I can be reached at 608 335-6827 or ritt.michele@countyofdane.com.
