HURON, N.Y. — Hundreds of animal rights activists gathered outside the headquarters of Marshall BioResources on Saturday to protest the company’s breeding and sale of beagles for biomedical research. The demonstration, involving approximately 400 participants, brought attention to the ongoing debate over the use of live animals in scientific testing.
Marshall BioResources, which operates in this rural area east of Rochester, is one of the nation’s largest breeders of dogs for medical research. According to a July inspection report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the facility houses more than 9,000 adult beagles and 5,000 puppies, along with tens of thousands of ferrets and other species including cats and miniature pigs. The company supplies animals to laboratories nationwide for testing involving pharmaceuticals and other biomedical research.
The protesters called for an end to live animal testing, arguing that it is both outdated and inhumane. Many participants had marched roughly 200 miles from Albany, New York’s capital, to attend the event. Among them was Carolyn Shaffer, who traveled over 800 miles from Madison, Wisconsin, holding signs depicting beagles’ faces to symbolize the animals’ suffering. Demonstrators accused the company of mistreating the animals and urged for their lives to be protected.
In response, Scott Marshall, CEO of Marshall BioResources, rejected claims of mistreatment, stating the company adheres to industry standards and federal regulations. Recent USDA inspections reportedly found no serious violations at the facility. “The animals in our care are healthy and happy,” Marshall said, emphasizing the role the dogs play in developing widely used medicines.
The protest occurred amid heightened tensions following an April incident at Ridglan Farms in Wisconsin, another dog breeder, where activists attempted to free animals forcibly. That confrontation led to clashes with police and private security, involving the use of tear gas and rubber bullets. Legal proceedings continue against several activists who face potential prison sentences related to these actions.
The ongoing debate has also reached the legislative arena. Bipartisan legislation introduced last month in Congress by Representatives Mark Pocan of Wisconsin and Nick Langworthy of New York aims to prohibit federal funding for research involving live dogs and cats. Langworthy stated that companion animals should not endure inhumane treatment, especially when alternative scientific methods have developed.
Experts acknowledge advances in non-animal testing methods but maintain that certain areas of biomedical research still require live animal models. Jonathan Kimmelman, a bioethicist at McGill University, explained the difficulty of fully replacing animal testing for evaluating complex biological systems.
At the end of their use in research, many animals are euthanized, although states like New York mandate that retired research dogs be offered for adoption when possible. After the Ridglan Farms controversy, which included findings of animal mistreatment and unauthorized procedures, remaining dogs were transferred to adoption agencies.
Among those adopting former research animals was Ella Magers, a co-organizer of Saturday’s protest, who brought her adopted beagle, Jane, to the march. Jane's journey from confinement to activism exemplifies the protesters’ cause.
Locally, opinions remain divided. Some residents, including former Marshall employees, defend the company’s role in medical progress and affirm that the animals receive proper care. However, advocates emphasize the vulnerability of beagles due to their docile nature and call for a reevaluation of animal testing practices in the biomedical field.