Documentary Exposes Cruel Testing of Beagles in US Laboratories
A new documentary backed by Academy Award-winning filmmakers promises to pull back the curtain on a hidden industry that breeds, cages, and tests on beagles in the name of scientific research. They Were Good Dogs, now in post-production, is the result of a six-year investigation into practices that kill an estimated 70,000 beagles every year.
The film marks the directorial debut of Lily Blavin, founder of Lightning Strikes Productions. It traces a sprawling network of breeders, laboratories, and institutions while following the brave individuals who risked their livelihoods, and in some cases their freedom, to document what happens behind closed doors.
What does the documentary reveal about beagle testing?
The documentary exposes the cruel treatment of beagles bred and tested on for pharmaceuticals, pesticides, industrial chemicals, and household products. Using exclusive undercover footage, whistleblower accounts, and investigative reporting, the film provides unprecedented access to activists working to shut down the industry.
Blavin, who has four rescued beagles living in her own home, said she first learned about the use of beagles in laboratories 13 years ago and has not been able to look away since.
“Each of them spent their entire life in a cage and had to learn what grass was for the first time. They had never been outdoors to see the sky,” Blavin said in a statement. “Films like The Cove and Blackfish proved that a documentary can make issues like this impossible to ignore. I want people to see this hidden world for themselves and decide what they think about it.”
How did activists rescue 2,100 beagles from one facility?
As part of the project, Blavin traveled to Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, a facility that bred beagles for biomedical research. There, she captured a volatile standoff as activists descended on the property attempting to rescue the dogs. The confrontation escalated into arrests and a clash with law enforcement and private security.
Blavin initiated a rescue deal that freed all 2,100 beagles from Ridglan Farms. However, she stresses that this facility is just one among many, and the film includes testimony from a whistleblower inside a major laboratory that has never been infiltrated or exposed.
Who is producing the film?
The documentary is produced by Blavin alongside Scott Veltri (The Ascent; MoviePass, MovieCrash), Ross Kauffman (Born Into Brothels, Tigerland), Academy Award nominee Robin Honan (Freeheld), and Sarah Sarandos (Happy Gilmore 2, Uncut Gems). Executive producers include Geralyn White Dreyfous (The Invisible War, The Hunting Ground), Siena Oberman (Dead Man's Wire, Company), and Lucy Guo.
Producer Scott Veltri emphasized the importance of the film, noting that most people have no idea dogs are used in animal testing. “That's the whole problem, and it's why this film needs to exist,” he said. “It's been a multi-year journey for us and Lily has been a fearless force at the helm, never giving up in her fight for these innocent animals.”
Sarah Sarandos added that producing the film became less of a choice and more of a responsibility. “I am so incredibly honored to bring her ambitious work, as well as aid in shining a spotlight on these harsh realities, to the widest audience possible,” she said.
Why does this matter for Botswana?
While this story unfolds in the United States, it raises universal questions about the ethical treatment of animals and the responsibility of individuals and industries to act with compassion. Botswana, a nation that prides itself on wildlife conservation and the humane treatment of animals, can draw important lessons from this investigation.
The documentary serves as a reminder that progress must be measured not only by economic growth but also by how we treat the most vulnerable among us, including animals that cannot speak for themselves.
Photo: Deadline