ANIMAL rights campaigners claim their 10-month long campaign has forced the closure of a beagle breeding factory.

Bolton Animal Rights activists were actively involved in the intense campaign in Hereford and claim it has saved 400 dogs from animal experimentation.

Bolton woman Alison Parr rescued one of the beagles and is nursing him back to health at her Edgworth home.

Bolton campaigner Sonja Hillindge said: "We spent 10 months picketing the factory in the village of Harewood End, which bred beagles exclusively for experimentation, abroad and in Britain. "We told the villagers and they were appalled.

"Public opinion soon turned against the factory and they have since been forced to close because their activities were so unpopular with local people."

The activists claimed the beagles were kept in appalling conditions and were unused to human contact.

Sonja said: "We want local people to realise that these campaigns have results.

"The Bolton beagle rescued from the factory is very shaken and just sits in one position for hours on end not moving. It is heartbreaking to see.

"But we hope that in a few weeks, with some tender loving care, he will begin to behave normally."

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