US breeder Envigo pleads guilty to mistreating beagles and fined $35.5m

Fine is largest ever in an animal welfare case imposed by US justice department

Research animal breeder Envigo pleaded guilty to animal welfare and environmental crimes on Monday, resolving a two-year US justice department investigation into its mistreatment of thousands of beagles, prosecutors said.

Envigo agreed in federal court in the western district of Virginia to pay $22m in fines, plus an additional $13.5m to support animal welfare and environmental projects, cover law enforcement expenses and improve its own facilities.