Former Naperville Resident Working To Save 4K Beagles: Report

NAPERVILLE, IL — A Naperville native is doing her part to save 4,000 beagles that were recently removed from a Virginia-based breeding facility, WGN reports.

Sue Bell, who grew up in Naperville, is currently the Founder and Executive Director of Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, which is located in Arlington, Virginia. Bell's rescue organization is helping to find care and homes for the beagles, which had been housed at Envigo RMS.

Envigo RMS recently received more than violations of animal welfare during a nine-month inspection period. The facility has also had over 300 puppy deaths reported in the last 20 years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), according to WGN. These deaths had been listed as "unknown."

Some beagles were euthanized without anesthesia. Others were subjected to experiments that were "unnecessary and painful," WGN reports.

The beagles are being relocated to adoption facilities with Bell's help. They must be removed from Envigo RMS within 60 days, per a judge's order.

Many of the dogs will be up for adoption via a webpage on the Humane Society for the United States. The dogs will be spayed and neutered, dewormed and brought up to date on required vaccinations. It's estimated that adoption fees will be somewhere between $275 and $675.

Residents can help with the beagle rescue efforts by making a donation to Homeward Trails.

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