There have been reports that 18 Beagle puppies have been 'freed' from the Cambridgeshire animal testing breeding facility, MBR Acres. 

According to an animal rights group, the puppies were freed by 12 supporters of Animal Rebellion at around 5.30am this morning (Tuesday, December 20). 

So far, three arrests have been made by Cambridgeshire Police and an additional two dogs, named Love and Liberty by the rescuers, were intercepted by police and are reportedly being held in the back of a cruiser. 

The group are asking for the police to release the dogs to a sanctuary as they are considered ‘contaminated’ and no longer able to be used in testing. 

The supporters of the Animal Rebellion remained on site to accept responsibility for the action, risking spending their Christmas in cells if remanded to prison. 

One of the rescuers, Louisa Hillwood, 28, a physiotherapist who lives in Hackney, said: “The sheds at MBR Acres are full of puppies barking and crying, waiting in terror for the day they are taken to be experimented on, hurt and killed. 

“We’ve been led to believe that animal testing is necessary, but that is simply not true. There are better alternatives.” 

She added: “I grew up alongside an animal, and when I imagine him being used like this, I feel sick. 

“If the beautiful animals used for testing were your companions, what would you do?” 

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: “We were called at just before 6am to reports of a break-in at MBR Acres in Sawtry Way, Wyton, and the presence of a group of protestors at the front gates of the site.

“Officers attended the scene and three people have been arrested on suspicious of burglary and taken to Thorpe Wood Police Station.

“They are a 29-year-old man from Sheffield, a 23-year-old man from York, and a 33-year-old woman, of no known address.

“Police remain at the scene and are working to remove protestors who are on MBR Acres property.

“Our aim is to ensure staff at the site are able to go about their lawful work, while protestors are able to express their views peacefully and safely, within the law.”

MBR Acres breed animals, and supplies dogs to licensed laboratories or businesses for the purpose of animal testing and research. It says it is "dedicated to maintaining high standards of animal welfare".