The Italian Supreme Court, the highest court in Italy, has turned down the appeal of three executives sentenced to serve time in prison for the maltreatment and killing of dogs at a beagle breeding company we helped to expose.

Last year Ghislane Rondot, Director of Green Hill in Brescia Italy, and Renzo Graziosi, a veterinarian, were sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in jail while Roberto Bravi, Executive Manager, was sentenced to 1 year and the payment of expenses. Rondot is a former Director of B&K Universal which is responsible for the breeding of dogs for cruel experiments at the Yorkshire Beagles breeding farm in Grimston, East Yorkshire.

Green Hill was closed down by its US owners Marshall BioResources in 2016 after serious animal welfare violations were revealed at the company. In 2012 over 3,000 dogs and puppies were released from the facility in northern Italy for rehoming following two years of protests and campaigning by our Italian partner Lega Anti Vivisezione.

Michelle Thew, Chief Executive of Cruelty Free International, said: “We are delighted justice has been done. The verdict sends out a strong message that animals can’t be treated like disposable commodities simply to turn a profit. The Italian courts have seen fit to punish those responsible for their crimes of animal cruelty, so that beagles will no longer suffer and die at Green Hill. Italy’s progressive stance and strong animal welfare law is a wake-up call to governments around the world that this barbaric industry should be consigned to the history books”.

Cruelty Free International is now investigating where dogs used in UK experiments are sourced. Find out more about how you can help end cruel experiments on dogs.