Animal activist group: Mizzou overcharging for information

Beagle Freedom Project, an animal activist group, is using a recent study to highlight the University of Missouri’s alleged sunshine law violations.

In May 2016, the group filed a lawsuit against the University.

The group says its goal is to raise awareness about medical testing on animals and wants to change standards for the practice.

Mizzou is not the only university the group has filed lawsuits against, but the group says Mizzou is blocking efforts to learn more about animal testing done at the school by overcharging for information.
The Beagle Freedom Project is now using a recent study to point out the importance of getting such records released.

The group told ABC 17 News the study ended unsuccessfully. Researchers reportedly euthanized six young beagles after they were blinded in one eye to see if a treatment could heal them.

The group said it thinks it was unnecessary to kill the dogs, they said they’re unsure if Mizzou did, in fact, violate any animal welfare law because they do not have the proper documentation.

Daniel Kolde, the Missouri Attorney for Beagle Freedom Project said, “They approved protocol, the care logs, a bunch of other records that the University should be maintaining under the Animal Welfare Act, and various other federal and state regulations and good scientific protocols, but we haven’t been able to see those because we don’t have $82,000 to give the University.”

The University of Missouri defended its research on beagles Monday. It said the dogs were treated humanely and said such research, “improves the quality of life for both animals and humans.”

ABC 17 News also asked Kolde about the status of Beagle Freedom Project’s lawsuit with Mizzou. He said right now the group is in the discovery phase, meaning both sides are collection information before the case goes to court.