To the editor:
I recently read an online article about an animal rights group that broke into a Wisconsin biomedical research facility and rescued 22 beagles that were being used for animal laboratory testing. Though I do not condone the illegal break in, as an animal lover, my heart could not help but condone seeing these animals free when I saw pictures of the beagles being carried away in the arms of the rescuers.
The article went on to talk about another group that has built a relationship with laboratories to have beagles and other animals turned over after clinical trials instead of being euthanized and how it has been more effective in rescuing higher numbers of animals than a break-in does Furthermore, it said that the executive director of this group had made several trips to consult with legislators on Capitol Hill to advocate for legislation that requires research facilities to adopt out animals after testing and was pleased to see a bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate on March 24 by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan.
The bipartisan legislation, named the Animal Freedom from Testing, Experimentation, and Research (AFTER) Act, would ensure that every federal agency that uses animals for research has policies in place to facilitate the relocation of retired, healthy lab animals to private homes, animal rescues or reputable sanctuaries.
In 2026, with modern science, it is horrible that this type of animal cruelty still exists. Until the practice ends, the AFTER Act is a step to end lab animal cruelty and the euthanizing of laboratory test animals.
Thank you, Sen. Collins.
Chris Lydon
Chair, Aroostook County Republican Committee
Caribou
