Italian officials seize 2 500 dogs
2012-07-18 22:11
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Rome - Italian authorities seized a notorious dog-breeding compound on Wednesday that raised thousands of Beagles for vivisection laboratories, officials said.
Thirty rangers from Italy's forest service raided the facility run by the firm Green Hill, authorities said in a statement. The compound is located in Montichiari, close to the town of Brescia in northern Italy.
Rangers said three people were under investigation for animal abuse and neglect, and that the dogs would remain at the compound for now.
About 2 500 dogs and puppies are kept in four hangars on the 5ha compound.
The action comes three months after a dozen anti-vivisection activists were arrested after they broke into the compound to rescue puppies.
"It's the first good news of the year and I am happy it's coming from Italy," French ex-film star and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot said in a statement.
"This dog farm of shame must permanently close its doors because we have no right to abandon thousands of dogs in hell," she added.
The Italian senate is currently reviewing a provision that would bar the breeding of dogs, cats and primates for experimentation.
- SAPA
