We've Been Fined A Total of £2,830 For Rescuing Beagle Puppies

In December 2022, we helped to rescue 18 beautiful beagle puppies from a place called MBR Acres, the only facility in the UK that breeds dogs for use in the animal testing industry.

In December 2025, after a 2-week trial, we were found guilty of burglary at Cambridge Crown Court. This year we have been sentenced for that.

Nathan, Hannah, and Eben all received an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for 2 years, 120 hours of community service, and an £860 compensation order for prosecution costs - each.

Lewis received an 18-month conditional discharge and a £250 compensation order for prosecution costs.

The last 3 years have been immensely difficult for us all awaiting trial, and the trial process itself was gruelling. We are glad it is over, but now we have to start figuring out how we cope with our convictions and the impact it has on our lives. We are crowdfunding to cover the £2,830 total costs we have been given, so that we are not left in serious financial distress by the proceedings.

For all of us, this has been incredibly difficult. Although we’re proud of our actions and stand by them, the impact of a burglary conviction is huge. Your generous support means the world and enables us to carry on with our lives as best we can.

About MBR Acres

MBR Acres is the only site in the UK breeding dogs for animal testing. An estimated 2,000 beagles are bred there each year. Most of them are sold into the animal testing industry for use in experiments, including toxicology. The site also has a “Bleeding License” which enables them to harvest organs and other bio-products, like blood, from healthy dogs. The most common way of bleeding the dogs is by inserting a needle directly into their heart or surrounding blood vessels.

Dozens of celebrities and MPs have spoken out against MBR Acres and the need to continue the use of dogs in animal testing, with Will Young, Gemma Collins, Chris Packham, Joanna Lumley, and many others trying to raise awareness.

In the past few months, more than 170,000 people have signed our petition to shut down MBR Acres, too.

The Rescue

In December 2022, right before Christmas, we went to MBR Acres with a mission to rescue as many puppies as possible. Alongside 14 other people, we successfully rescued 18 dogs who are now living in healthy and happy family homes.

We did this openly and honestly, because we felt it was the right thing to do and that we should not hide.

We were charged with burglary in Summer 2024, the 18 rescuers split into 4 different trial groups, and we went to trial in December of 2025. Unfortunately, a jury convicted us. The second trial group was acquitted, before the third was convicted too.

Our actions have helped to spark massive conversation and scrutiny on the animal testing industry as a whole, but MBR Acres more specifically. It is vital that we interrogate the scientific status quo and are rigorous in pushing for improvements.

What Comes Next?

The four of us are now moving forward in life and will have to overcome the obstacles that come with a burglary conviction. Nathan, Hannah, and Eben will all be impacted by having to do 100+ hours of community service in the coming months, whilst also having a suspended prison sentence hanging over them.

All of us face having to explain this conviction to current and future employers who require background checks.

Lastly, but by no means least, we all face the serious financial penalty imposed upon us. None of us works in highly-paid corporate jobs and, instead, try to focus on making positive social change as far as we can - which doesn’t pay much!

This is where you can help, by taking this pressure away, you’ll be supporting people who’ve put it all on the line to save animal lives.

This allows us all to move on and, in many cases, continue the struggle to make the world a better place for humans and other animals.