Save The Newchurch Guinea Pigs

Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs (SNGP) was a six-year campaign by British animal rights activists to close a farm in Newchurch, Staffordshire that bred guinea pigs for animal research. The owners, three brothers trading as David Hall and Partners, announced in August 2005 that they were closing the business as a result of the pressure from activists, which included harassment, damage to property, and threats of physical violence.

Set up in 1999, the campaign became notorious in October 2004 when the remains of Christopher Hall's mother-in-law were removed from her grave in St Peter's churchyard, Yoxall, an act condemned by several animal rights groups, including Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs itself. The BBC and Burton Mail newspaper received correspondence in April 2005 signed the Animal Rights Militia claiming responsibility.

The remains were recovered in May 2006 when police searched woodland after receiving information from an activist they had arrested. Prosecutors were unable to prove that the disturbance of the grave was linked to the campaign, but four activists were jailed for conspiracy to blackmail, after admitting using the removal of the remains to put pressure on the Halls.

Read more about Save The Newchurch Guinea Pigs:  Background, The Campaign

Famous quotes containing the words guinea pigs, save the, save, guinea and/or pigs:

    We’re all of us guinea pigs in the laboratory of God. Humanity is just a work in progress.
    Tennessee Williams (1914–1983)

    Lift not thy spear against the Muses’ bower:
    The great Emathian conqueror bid spare
    The house of Pindarus, when temple and tower
    Went to the ground; and the repeated air
    Of sad Electra’s poet had the power
    To save the Athenian walls from ruin bare.
    John Milton (1608–1674)

    A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
    Bible: New Testament Jesus, in Matthew, 13:57.

    To the eyes of a miser a guinea is more beautiful than the sun, and a bag worn with the use of money has more beautiful proportions than a vine filled with grapes.
    William Blake (1757–1827)

    The captain sat in a commodore’s hat
    And dined in a royal way
    On toasted pigs and pickles and figs
    And gummery bread each day.
    Charles Edward Carryl (1841–1920)