Defending compassion in a landmark puppy rescue case: Steven’s* story
*Please note a false name has been chosen to protect the person’s identity.
“Pro bono representation made it possible for me to properly defend myself through a long and difficult case.”
(Content warning: This story contains references to animal testing and medical procedures involving animals that some readers may find distressing).
When Steven first approached Advocate for help, he was facing charges of burglary for rescuing 18 beagle puppies, who were living in a facility used for breeding and animal testing. Panel member Samuel March of 9KBW assisted Steven with several hearings and after a 7-day long trial, Steven was eventually found not guilty by a jury. Steven was incredibly grateful to Samuel for all his help in giving him a voice in court on this important animal welfare issue.
In December 2022, Steven – along with 5 other members of an animal rights activist group (Animal Rising) – coordinated a plan to remove 20 beagle puppies from a breeding facility.
Most of the puppies bred at the facility were sold to laboratories where they may be used in scientific, medical, pharmaceutical and veterinary research, as well as toxicology testing for household products in the UK. The site was also known to have a license to conduct organ harvesting and terminal bleeding on site.
With knowledge of this, the animal rights group felt compelled to rescue the puppies due to concerns about their welfare and the lack of care and respect for their rights.
The rescue operation was coordinated and involved renting cars and multiple Airbnb’s to use as safe houses, using burner phones, and putting information barriers in place between different teams.
The group were successful in removing 18 out of the 20 beagle puppies – 2 were seized by the police and returned to the breeding facility, but 18 of the puppies never returned to the facility.
Whilst only one member of this group entered the premises to rescue the puppies, the other 4, including Steven, were either runners or drivers and charged as accessories. Steven was one of the rescue drivers.
He was arrested, interviewed by the police, and charged with a single count of burglary.
The 18 Defendants were prosecuted in four trials heard since December 2025. The Defendants openly admitted their participation and most facts were agreed.
With nowhere else to turn for legal assistance and in desperate need, Steven turned to Advocate for help. Panel member Samuel March of 9 King’s Bench Walk stepped into assist with representing Steven. He represented him in 5 preliminary hearings, and a 7-day long trial.
The jury saw footage from the facility and heard the Defendants’ accounts. They each gave evidence that they believed the dogs at the breeding facility were not being properly cared for and believed the conditions were immoral and illegal too; they said they believed they had a moral right - and some mentioned a legal right also - to rescue the dogs.
This left a single issue before the jury: dishonesty. Samuel argued that the Defendant’s actions were not “dishonest”, saying that "a person with no regard to morality or compassion was no ordinary decent person". After more than 9 hours of deliberation, the jury returned a not guilty verdict for Steven and the other 4 Defendants.
Steven told Samuel that he could not thank him enough for everything he had done. Some of Steven’s family were in court and Samuel noted it was touching to see the weight lifted from their shoulders as the case came to an end, despite the harrowing background.
Steven commented: “Pro bono representation made it possible for me to properly defend myself through a long and difficult case. I’m hugely grateful to the lawyers who gave their time and expertise to support me. Their commitment to access to justice really does make a difference in people’s lives. This case also centred on the welfare of puppies who had no voice of their own, so it meant a great deal to have people willing to stand up and help ensure the full story could be heard. I’m relieved and thankful that the court has now acquitted me.”
Find out how you can make a difference by taking on pro bono work with Advocate today. Read more stories from people we have supported with life-changing cases.