Second Beagle, "Junior," killed at UT for profit
Students call for end to use of dogs for research on campus

Researchers at the UT Animal Resources Center killed their second Beagle, leaving many students both surprised and emotionally drained.

The dog, affectionately nicknamed "Junior" by students, was unexpectedly killed late last week at the request of Chacon Industries, an Austin-based company which pays for the placement of the dogs in the ARC. Members of Students Against Cruelty to Animals have been visiting the Beagles regularly throughout the semester, to offer some companionship before they die. SACA has demanded an end to the use of dogs in the ARC. ARC board members will decide on their proposal in December.

"This is far worse than losing a loved, family dog," said Will Potter, journalism junior  and member of SACA. "I developed a relationship Junior. At the start, he was withdrawn and deathly afraid of people. He opened up to me, and his eyes widened whenever we visited. Now,
he's been killed by a private company for profit."

Junior- nicknamed for his small size, wide eyes and soft fur- will have his organs extracted by Chacon researchers. The organs will be used to create cell cultures for future research.

All of this is done for profit at the ARC.

Jerry Fineg, Director of the ARC, refused to disclose how much Chacon Industries is paying the ARC to house the Beagles.

In addition, he said he was out of the office last week, and did not know Junior was going  to be killed.

"We have no idea when these dogs will be put down," Fineg said. "It is totally up to  Chacon to tell us when they want it done. I don't know when the last dog will be put down."

The final Beagle, nicknamed "Stampy" for his broad shoulders, and the way he "stamps around" visitors- will be killed before the end of the semester.

Members of SACA will continue to visit Stampy until he is killed.

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