Will Young Handcuffs Himself To Gates Of Dog Breeding Centre

Will Young handcuffed himself to the gates of a dog-breeding centre in Cambridgeshire yesterday afternoon, as part of animal protestors "Camp Beagle's" campaign.

This campaign demands the closure of MBR Acres in Wyton, near Huntington and the release of of the dogs from the facility. They are also campaigning for the facility to stop using beagles in labratory testing. 

"no hate no aggression"

BBC News had reported that Young joined the demonstration “because I am a dog-lover, an animal-lover and a human-lover; I come with no hate and aggression”.

“People are unaware there is still animal testing in this country and it is not needed", the pop star added. “I couldn’t sit at home and not do nothing [to] bring attention to the plight of these animals". 

Young also insisted that he would protest against the facility, regarding of his status or profile. 

He said, “All protests, all movements, need little boosts. As someone who has [fans and social media followers] I couldn’t sit at home and just write another song or another book". 

Young handcuffed himself to the Marshall Biosource facility. He later released himself from the cuffs after being spoken to by police. The former Pop Idol winner and Leave Right Now singer called the police "brilliant". 

Along with Will Young, the likes of Ricky Gervais and Peter Egan have also called for the facility to close. 

Respect to @willyoung thank you for such a committed objection to the cruelty going on at #MBRAcres 👏👏👏 https://t.co/FR4vwhXxxV

— Peter Egan (@PeterEgan6) November 16, 2021

On Young's conduct, Cambridgeshire also released this statement, “Officers spoke to a man handcuffed to the gates and he has since released himself from the handcuffs and moved away from the entrance.  Our response to the protests in Wyton has been impartial and proportionate, balancing the right to protest with the right of staff at the site to go about their lawful work". 

“We are ensuring a safe environment for protesters to express their views peacefully and staff at the site to do their work, which is protected under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005". 

Marshall Biosource also added that they have “no interest in stifling legitimate protest provided it is conducted lawfully and peacefully”. 

In a statement to the High Court last week, they said, “All protesters are now currently barred by the court from accessing a designated exclusion area in front of the gates to the sites to restrain the unlawful campaign of harassment, trespass and criminal damage directed against our staff, contractors, and visitors". 

“Our business will continue to manage and run its operations in full compliance with Home Office regulations and with our normal high welfare standards". 

“We remain proud of what we do every day because our work allows the progress of medicine to save millions of human and animal lives".