Beagles are not used by accident—they are chosen intentionally because of traits that make them easier for laboratories to exploit.

• Docile and trusting nature: Beagles are naturally friendly and rarely aggressive. While these qualities make them wonderful family dogs, in laboratories, they are seen as “manageable” because they are less likely to resist handlers even when in pain or distress.
• Small and manageable size: Compact and easy to house, beagles fit into small cages that labs use to maximize space and minimize costs.
• Genetic uniformity: As purebred dogs, beagles offer genetic consistency, which scientists prefer for producing uniform test results. This makes them ideal for repeatable experiments, even if those tests cause long-term suffering.
• Historical precedent: The practice of using beagles dates back to the 1950s, when the Atomic Energy Commission used them for radiation studies. By 1963, the FDA had gone so far as to specifically reference “beagle” in its guidelines for dog testing. Decades of accumulated data have kept researchers locked into using the breed.
• The breeding industry: Demand for beagles has fueled a large-scale breeding industry, producing dogs solely for sale to research facilities. These dogs are born into captivity, destined never to know a life outside of laboratory walls.

A History of Exploitation

Beagles have been used in countless experiments: testing pharmaceuticals, chemicals, pesticides, and even radiation exposure. For years, this systemic exploitation went largely unquestioned, justified as a “scientific necessity.” Yet growing awareness of the cruelty behind animal testing has revealed a darker truth—that beagles’ loyalty and innocence have been weaponized against them.

Signs of Progress and Hope

While the history is grim, recent years have brought major victories for animal welfare advocates. Thanks to tireless activism, legal challenges, and shifting public opinion, the tide is beginning to turn:

• 2022 – Envigo scandal: The Humane Society of the United States, working with federal officials, rescued nearly 4,000 beagles from an Envigo breeding facility in Virginia. The company was found guilty of animal welfare violations and pollution crimes, exposing the cruelty of the industry to a national audience.
• 2024 – Beagle Freedom Project victory: Activists successfully shut down an animal testing facility in Oklahoma. Instead of letting the property fall back into the industry, the Beagle Freedom Project purchased the site and transformed it into a sanctuary where former lab animals could finally live in peace.
• 2025 – NIH milestone: In May 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced it had closed its last in-house beagle testing laboratory. The move came after sustained pressure from animal rights groups, lawmakers, and the public. This landmark decision signals a potential turning point in the U.S. approach to animal testing.