A federal judge in Lynchburg, Virginia, has signed off on a plan for the Humane Society to transfer about 4,000 beagles from the Envigo breeder mill in Cumberland County, Virginia, to shelters so they can be placed for adoption.
Envigo raised the dogs for medical research and came under fire from animal rights advocates for the company’s treatment of the beagles.
Envigo, the Humane Society and the U.S. government presented the joint plan after U.S. District Judge Norman Moon refused Envigo’s bids for permission to sell more than 2,000 beagles to fulfill a sister company’s research contracts.
Envigo will pay the Humane Society a $100 fee per beagle and $150 per nursing mother and litter under 8 weeks. The Humane Society will transmit the fees to shelters in order to defray the costs of preparing the beagles for adoption.
“Virginia is for dog lovers today,” said Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, who sponsored legislation to protect dogs and cats at research facilities, along with Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax and Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle.
Stanley said “it’s a victory for the dogs and a victory for stopping needless experiments” on the animals.
Inotiv, Envigo’s Indiana-based parent company, recently announced its plans to close Envigo’s beagle mill, which Moon has castigated for its “torturous abuse” of dogs and puppies in repeated violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
Under the agreement, the Humane Society will be solely responsible for coordinating transfer of the beagles from the Cumberland site and for the beagles’ placement with animal shelters and rescue organizations for adoption. The Humane Society agreed that it will place as many beagles as possible with shelters on the East Coast and in the Midwest and that beagles under 8 weeks will be transported with their mothers.
Stanley said the goal now is “finding good, permanent, loving homes for all of these dogs.”
He encouraged anyone who wants to get on a list to adopt a beagle from Envigo to call his office at (540) 721-6028.
TABITHA TRELOAR/RICHMOND SPCA
Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, Va., shown holding a beagle, sponsored legislation to protect dogs and cats at research facilities.
Stanley previously played a key role in helping hundreds of beagles rescued from Envigo find homes. His family adopted two of those beagles and he says anyone who adopts a dog or puppy saved from Envigo will find it was “the best decision they ever made.”
The senator said he is concerned that many shelters already are overburdened and added that advocates seeking to help the beagles will “have to be very creative here.”
Last year, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals conducted an undercover investigation at the Envigo’s Cumberland County facility. PETA posted disturbing video of beagles housed in what it called a “prison like factory.”
Daphna Nachminovitch, PETA’s senior vice president of cruelty investigations, said in a statement: “PETA’s groundbreaking undercover investigation helped spark a historic domino effect of state and federal legislative and law-enforcement action that paved the way for these dogs’ independence and this dog prison’s closure.
“Envigo’s surviving victims will soon be given the opportunity to have what every dog deserves — the freedom to enjoy life, love, and respect for their individuality as members of a family home.”
Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, Virginia Democrats, said in a joint statement: “After months of advocacy, we’re heartened to know that nearly 4,000 Envigo dogs will be spared a lifetime of suffering and will instead head to loving homes.
“We’re also pleased to know that Inotiv — Envigo’s parent company — will shutter its Cumberland facility and that no more dogs will be subject to the appalling conditions and inexcusable distress endured by so many dogs and puppies at the facility.”
-
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Gov. Glenn Youngkin holds Tannis and Brenda Mahoney holds Bella outside the Executive Mansion Monday, after the governor signed five bills to penalize animal cruelty and protect dogs or cats bred for research. Mahoney adopted Bella. The beagles, both Richmond SPCA alumni, were bred for research purposes, but were surrendered to the Richmond SPCA rather than being sold to a laboratory.
-
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Gov. Glenn Youngkin holds Tannis and Brenda Mahoney holds Bella outside the Executive Mansion Monday, after the governor signed five bills to penalize animal cruelty and protect dogs or cats bred for research. Mahoney adopted Bella. The beagles, both Richmond SPCA alumni, were bred for research purposes, but were surrendered to the Richmond SPCA rather than being sold to a laboratory.
-
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, holds his adopted beagle Mila, a Richmond SPCA alumni, who was bred for research purposes, but was surrendered to the Richmond SPCA rather than being sold to a laboratory. They were outside the Executive Mansion Monday, April 4, 2022, where Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed five bills to penalize animal cruelty and protect dogs or cats bred in research facilities.
-
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Gov. Glenn Youngkin signs five bills to penalize animal cruelty and protect dogs or cats bred in research facilities. He signed the legislation outside the Executive Mansion Monday, April 4, 2022.
-
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Siobhan Deeds, wife of Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, holds Mila, a beagle the Deeds adopted. Gov. Glenn Youngkin signs five bills to penalize animal cruelty and to protect dogs or cats bred for research. He signed the legislation outside the Executive Mansion Monday, April 4, 2022. Mila, a Richmond SPCA alumni, was bred for research purposes, but was surrendered to the Richmond SPCA rather than being sold to a laboratory.
-
-
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Tabitha F. Treloar, director of communications at the Richmond SPCA, ties a scarf on Clemmie, held by lobbyist Glynn Loope who adopted the beagle. They were at the Executive Mansion where Gov. Glenn Youngkin was signing five bills to penalize animal cruelty and protect dogs or cats bred for research. Clemmie, a Richmond SPCA alumni, was bred for research purposes, but was surrendered to the Richmond SPCA rather than being sold to a laboratory. Photo was taken on Monday, April 4, 2022.
-
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Gov. Glenn Youngkin signs five bills to penalize animal cruelty and dogs or cats bred for research. He signed the legislation outside the Executive Mansion Monday, April 4, 2022.
-
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Emily Neal feeds her adopted dog Tannis a treat as Gov. Glenn Youngkin signs five bills to penalize animal cruelty and protect dogs or cats raised for research. He signed the legislation outside the Executive Mansion Monday, April 4, 2022. Tannis, a Richmond SPCA alumni, was bred for research purposes, but was surrendered to the Richmond SPCA rather than being sold to a laboratory.
-
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Emily Neal feeds her adopted dog Tannis a treat as Gov. Glenn Youngkin signs five bills to penalize animal cruelty and protect dogs or cats bred for research. He signed the legislation outside the Executive Mansion Monday, April 4, 2022. Tannis, a Richmond SPCA alumni, was bred for research purposes, but was surrendered to the Richmond SPCA rather than being sold to a laboratory.
-
Canva
Which do you like better, cats or dogs? If you chose dogs, you’re in the majority: 74% of adults said they like dogs a lot, while only 41% of adults said the same about cats, according to a poll conducted by the Associated Press. That’s not to suggest dogs are inherently better than their feline friends. Evolutionarily speaking, cats have actually been more successful, with superior hunting skills enabling survival even when food is scarce. On the other hand, science suggests dogs are smarter than cats because their cerebral cortexes contain twice as many neurons.
There may never be a clear answer, but for the majority who prefer man’s best friend, Stacker has compiled a list of the top 35 dog breeds with the most timeless popularity. Using data from the American Kennel Club, we averaged each breed’s level of popularity in 1940 with its popularity in 2021. This analysis excluded any new breed introduced since 1940 and is based on data released on March 15, 2022, the most recent data available. Any ties were decided by the breed that ranked highest in 2021.
Click through to find out if your favorite dog was just as beloved 80 years ago.
You may also like: Things to consider when adopting a pet
-
-
-
-
Canva
- Average rank: 44.5
- 1940 rank: 44
- 2021 rank: 45
Newfoundlands are known for their large size, which is enhanced by their heavy double-coat. They are also characterized by their sweet and gentle personality. While they may seem like the perfect pet, one of the Newfoundlands’ less desirable traits is their tendency to drool.
-
Canva
- Average rank: 44.5
- 1940 rank: 43
- 2021 rank: 46
Called Westie for short, the West Highland White Terrier descends from a group of terriers bred to seek out vermin. As a result, they may share ancestors with cairn terriers and Scottish terriers. Though they look like soft stuffed animals, their outer coat is actually wiry and coarse.
-
-
-
Canva
- Average rank: 43
- 1940 rank: 67
- 2021 rank: 19
As their name hints, Siberian Huskies originated from Siberia. They were bred to have serious endurance and a thick coat to withstand severe winters. These wolf-like dogs have won the hearts of many pet owners with their high energy and extra friendly personality.
-
Canva
- Average rank: 42.5
- 1940 rank: 14
- 2021 rank: 71
Characterized by their silky chestnut coats, Irish setters were originally bred to hunt birds. Although they love humans, their hunting instincts can make them a threat to smaller animals. They are active and energetic, so potential owners should be prepared to take them on lots of long walks or runs.
-
-
Canva
- Average rank: 41
- 1940 rank: 34
- 2021 rank: 48
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever gets its name from the shallow estuary that’s surrounded by Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. In the 19th century, Chessies were used to hunt ducks in the Bay since their coat helps them repel water and stay warm.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Canva
- Average rank: 30.5
- 1940 rank: 33
- 2021 rank: 28
Also known as Shelties, Shetland sheepdogs were bred in the United Kingdom as herding dogs. These long-coated pups look similar to their collie relatives but are much smaller, weighing only about 20 pounds.
-
Canva
- Average rank: 29.5
- 1940 rank: 22
- 2021 rank: 37
One of the smallest dog breeds, Chihuahuas typically weigh no more than 6 pounds. This breed has earned itself a lot of screen time, with roles in “Legally Blonde,” “Meet the Fockers,” “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” and as Taco Bell’s former mascot, Gidget.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Canva
- Average rank: 18
- 1940 rank: 12
- 2021 rank: 24
This breed combines a tiny figure with a big personality. Although they weigh no more than 7 pounds, Pomeranians can be possessive and behave aggressively toward those who threaten their space. As a result, they may not be ideal for families with young children.
-
Canva
- Average rank: 17
- 1940 rank: 8
- 2021 rank: 26
English Springer Spaniels were bred as hunting dogs and are active, obedient pups. Springer spaniels have won six Best in Show awards at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the third-most of any breed.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Canva
- Average rank: 15
- 1940 rank: 29
- 2021 rank: 1
Despite their name, Labrador retrievers developed in Newfoundland, Canada, as opposed to Labrador, Canada. With coats generally in either yellow, chocolate, or black, Labs are an active breed that loves people and other animals.
-
-
-
Canva
- Average rank: 13
- 1940 rank: 3
- 2021 rank: 23
Even though terrier is in their name, Boston terriers are part of the nonsporting group. The other half of their name makes more sense: They were developed in Boston and became the official state dog of Massachusetts in 1979.
-
-
-
-
***
