Black Sabbath legend Geezer Butler has thrown his support behind a huge rescue mission aiming to rehome 1,500 beagles from a controversial breeding operation.
The bassist and lyricist visited a triage site at Dane County Humane Society alongside pop singer Debbie Gibson as part of efforts to relocate hundreds of dogs into rescue organisations and permanent homes.
Campaigners say the operation is one of the largest coordinated efforts in recent history to move dogs from a research-breeding facility into shelters and adoptive homes.
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On Wednesday (13 May) alone, 150 beagles arrived at the Dane County Humane Society as part of the ongoing transfer operation.
Photos shared online show Geezer cradling one of the rescued dogs during the visit, as reported by Need To Know.
The Beagle Freedom Project later wrote on Facebook: “Day 2 of the Ridglan Release: 150 more beagles are out.
“Big thank you to Debbie Gibson and Geezer Butler for showing up to be a voice for the voiceless.”
Geezer also shared his own message online after the visit.
He wrote: “What a fantastic day.
“Getting these beagles out of Ridglan Farms and knowing they will be in loving homes very soon has made my year.”
Shannon Keith, president and founder of Beagle Freedom Project, described Geezer as “an outspoken advocate for animals” and said he had supported the organisation for years.
The rocker has been vegetarian since childhood before later adopting a fully vegan lifestyle.
Debbie Gibson also praised the rescue effort.
She said: “I’m so honoured to be invited by Beagle Freedom Project to help shine a light on this rescue effort that represents a shift in consciousness.”
According to the Center for a Humane Economy, the dogs are being released from Ridglan Farms, a breeding facility in Wisconsin, US, which previously housed around 2,000 beagles at a time for biomedical research purposes.
Ridglan Farms has previously faced criticism and accusations of cruelty from campaigners.
However, the farm has denied wrongdoing and said there has been “no credible evidence” of abuse, mistreatment or neglect at the site.
The release operation follows a negotiated agreement allowing 1,500 dogs to be rehomed.
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