HARTFORD- Many of us assume animal testing is a thing of the past, or at least limited to "lab rats" and mice.
But that's not the case. It turns out that Beagles are suffering injuries as they're used in lab testing nationwide. They're losing eyes, getting rashes and being burnt according to "The Beagle Freedom Project"-- a nonprofit based in California.
The dogs have new products, from make-up to pharmaceuticals, tested on them. Once it's over, they're killed.
Some beagles are left drooling uncontrollably after being given oxycontin pills. Others are poked, prodded and injected.
"It's a big dirty secret," said activist Melissa Peters.
It happens behind closed doors, where most people assume a breed known for its soft demeanor, and even named "Best in Show," wouldn't be subjected to torture.
But they are.
"Beagles are commonly used because they are the most docile, people-friendly type of dogs," said Peters, who runs the Connecticut branch of "The Beagle Freedom Project."
It's a national effort to make tax-payer funded research labs put beagles up for adoption after their years of testing, instead of just putting them down.
"They use them to test shampoo, hairspray, how it affects their eyes, a lot of the beagles that we save actually come back with one eye missing," said Peters.
The law is already on the books in Minnesota and pending in New York, New Jersey, Nevada and California.
Now, state Rep. Brenda Kupchick (R-Fairfield) is teaming with Rep. Diana Urban (D- N. Stonington) and Rep. Jack Hennessy (D- Bridgeport) to bring the "Beagle Freedom Bill" to Connecticut.
"These organizations are willing to step up, and take them on and train them and then re-house them in homes with families," said Rep. Kupchick.
But why not stop the testing before it starts? Both lawmakers and activists say that's the ultimate goal, but this bill is the best place to start.
Carol Geraghty, a West Hartford resident and owner of a beagle named Lily, was alarmed to learn of the canine testing. "I didn't think they still used beagles for testing for that kind of thing and the fact that they euthanize them afterwards is horrible and I'm totally for any kind of thing that would save them," said Geraghty.
Even after they're rescued, some beagles are so traumatized they don't even leave their crates.
"They spend their entire lives in the facility, never seeing sunshine, never touching grass," said Peters.
But they do emerge eventually, and many have been rehabilitated and placed in forever homes.
Peters believes this law can unleash the truth to the public, and give every beagle a home like Lily's.
"With research facilities, we take them, we don't ask any questions, and we find homes for them," said Peters.
Kupchick said animal lovers should call their state representative and ask them to support the "Beagle Freedom Bill," which is HB 5707.