Photo: Photo Courtesy of MSPCA-Angell.
SALEM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The dogs are out, and now the question is: who is going to step up and let them into their homes?
Massachusetts has received one of the many waves of beagles rescued from a breeding and testing operation in Virginia, just as the Commonwealth enacted legislative protections, the "Beagle Bill," that prevents lab dogs from being euthanized once their time there is done.
WBZ's Madison Rogers visited the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, where dozens of rescued beagles await new owners. The dogs fashioned blue tattoos on the undersides of their ears, reminders of their time at the ENVIGO breeding and research facility.
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell Animal Medical Center Director of Adoption Centers and Programs Mike Keiley says some of the beagles touched grass for the first time in their care.
"It's inspiring and exciting, but it's also sad to think about how they've never had this before. This 4,000 beagles case is historic, and this is one of those cases that when we look back, will have changed the way that animals are protected permanently," Keiley said.
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On Friday, the MSPCA published a YouTube video that highlighted the beagles journey to Massachusetts.
The MSPCA says that nearly 100 Beagles have since been adopted through their locations in Cape Cod, Boston, and Methuen, and the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem.
Interested parties looking to adopt a beagle can find out more information about the process here.
WBZ's Madison Rogers (@madisonwbz) reports.
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