Beagle-rescue group sues U of I over research-animal data

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A beagle-rescue group has sued the University of Illinois over the university's refusal to disclose documents showing its treatment of research animals.

The Beagle Freedom Foundation filed the Freedom of Information Act lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court on Monday.

The foundation backs legislation requiring research facilities to make animals finished with testing - beagles are often used - available for adoption instead of euthanizing them.

The lawsuit claims the university heavily redacted a required treatment protocol related to a dog identified as "2662" which is a public record.

The school relied on FOIA exemptions allowing it to withhold "course materials," ''research data" and "trade secrets," among others.

The legislation stalled last spring. The university has said most dogs are adopted after testing, but did not respond with comment Monday.