In a bipartisan effort, two Virginia lawmakers made an unannounced visit to a disgraced Beagle breeding facility — Envigo.
Late last week, ABC News8 reported on a released undercover video that showed the inhumane conditions of the facility. This week, they report that action has been taken.
That may seem quick, but given the overall timeline trajectory, previous reports of negligence in animal welfare, as well as the previous involvement of these very same lawmakers, it’s still not fast enough. Not by a long shot.
Envigo — PETA’s Undercover Video
Envigo is a breeding facility that mostly provides Beagles for animal testing in laboratories.
While we at DogTime stand against breeding canines into a life of cages, testing, and prodding, some believe it necessary. Considering that this would be intolerable with humans, we’re not sure why it should be “necessary” with canines, but alas.
For context, the video in reference to Envigo detailed the cruel and inhumane treatment of Beagles at their facility. This came by way of an undercover video conducted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
In the video, Beagles either dead or dying are boxed into tight cages. Daphna Nachminovitch, PETA’s Senior Vice President of Cruelty Investigations, cited documentation supporting that “more than 350 Beagles at Envigo suffered and died.”
Furthermore, a staffer was heard on camera saying, “This week they did not get fed. If too many people know it, it’s going to get out that’s what we are doing, and it’s going to get bad.”
Not The First Time: Previous Citations & Lawmaker Involvement
These soaking wet babies’ cries will bring you to tears.
Workers at this breeding mill supplying laboratories sprayed cages with high pressure hoses, leaving puppies and their nursing mothers nowhere to go and no relief from the blast. pic.twitter.com/uD2NEmJIcn
— PETA (@peta) November 10, 2021
Upon viewing the aforementioned video, Republican Senator Bill Stanley said that he was “livid,” that the video was “disturbing” and “an embarrassment to the commonwealth” of Virginia. He promised that legislation was underway.
This week, both Stanley and Senator David Marsden, Democrat, appeared to make good on that promise — somewhat. Following yet another USDA inspection citing the facility with 25 animal welfare violations, the lawmakers made an unannounced visit to the facility.
It’s important to note that they did so with media in tow. Also, the USDA conducted the inspection way back in July. Goodness knows how many Beagles perished since.
Within that report, inspectors found Beagles suffering from “dental disease” and “eye infections.” There was an “accumulation of feces, urine, and insects,” as well as “infestations of flies and ants in dog feeders.”
Not to mention that the facility’s overall temperature was pushing 85 degrees.
Before this report, these same senators made a “plan” a year ago with Envigo to correct previously cited animal welfare violations. Obviously, that went nowhere and did nothing. They even made a visit then, as well.
Will Anything Be Different This Time?
BREAKING- @BillStanley and @SenDaveMarsden come up with a plan for more oversight at the troubled Envigo breeding facility and a plan to adopt out hundreds of dogs. The story @8NEWS at 6pm. pic.twitter.com/7SRQOsCCou
— Kerri O’Brien (@Kerri8News) November 16, 2021
Senator Marsden told 8News, “We had an arrangement [for] the state veterinarian to come out and conduct inspections of the facility. It fell a little short of expectations. It turned into more of a visit than a detailed investigation.”
The Senators’ new plan is to draft legislation that more closely monitors how these inspections are conducted, with better-monitored results.
“In my estimation, the best way to proceed forward is to have an inspector general paid for by the facility and its parent company but working for the state but here full time,” Marsden said.
(Stock Picture Credit: Tatomm/Getty Images)Rightly so, 8News inquired, “Why not just shut the troubled facility down?”
Marsden replied, “It is difficult to shut down a facility that is providing research animals. They learn how to do hip replacements using these animals. That sounds terrible but it benefits all of us to have research done.”
Somehow I doubt many people would want a hip at this cost. Not knowingly, at least.
Stanley, who adopted a Beagle for the cameras, stated, “Envigo pledged today to work with myself and a releasing agency or two to make sure we find forever homes for those dogs and give them that chance at love and life, like this little puppy right here.”
Envigo’s Statement & Inspection Reports
Bill Stanley: SHUT DOWN the Envigo facility in Cumberland, VA and charge employees with animal abuse! – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/PpC0NsTDGG via @Change
— Carmen Sara (@CarmenS13729548) November 16, 2021
Envigo’s official statement to News8 is as follows:
“While the USDA inspections reflected that we have improvements to make, we had previously initiated and are continuing to take the necessary corrective actions for all issues outlined in the reports. We appreciate the information provided, take the feedback seriously, and recognize the improvements we are making are an ongoing effort.”
“After the USDA visited our facility, we immediately began to address the concerns and develop treatment programs for all animals identified. We do not neglect our animals and are committed to ensuring any sick animal receives the proper care they deserve.”
If you would like to measure those words against the inspection reports yourself, you may read them here: part 1, part 2, and part 3.
And if you believe that breeding and using Beagles for laboratory testing is wrong, as we do at DogTime, consider supporting an organization that rescues testing Beagles and fights to end the cruelty, like Beagle Freedom Project!
Do you think that lawmakers did enough here? Do you think that we should allow this kind of facility with a history of violations and cruelty to Beagles to continue operation? Let us know in the comments below.
