A campaigner from Kidderminster has been arrested after handcuffing herself to the gate of an animal research laboratory near Loughborough. 

Louise Ryan, aged 52, was one of two people arrested on Saturday (September 14) after using chalk spray to paint slogans at the Envigo laboratory. 

The action happened whilst a protest by anti-vivisection campaigners took place outside the laboratory. 

Ms Ryan and Allan Jackson, aged 56, from Swindon, were arrested but later released on bail pending further police enquiries. 

Ms Ryan said: "Despite being confined to a wheelchair, I was determined to take part in the action to draw attention to the torture and killing of animals by Envigo. 

"Animal experimentation is not only morally wrong, it is also regarded as scientifically invalid by an increasing number of doctors and scientists and is an example of human supremacism. The arrogant and irrational belief that humans are somehow more important than other sentient animals." 

Ms Ryan has featured in The Shuttle several times for similar actions at other facilities involved with experiments on animals and is due to appear in court in December charged with criminal damage in Cambridgeshire earlier this year. 

Slogans sprayed at the entrance to the site Slogans sprayed at the entrance to the site (Image: Wyre Forest Vegans)

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: "Police were called to a premises in Dodgeford Lane, Loughborough, at 2pm on Saturday (September 14) following a report that a group of people had gathered at the location to protest.

"During the incident, it was reported a member of staff had been threatened and damage had also been caused to a nearby residence.

"Three people – a man aged 56 and two women aged 52 and 53 – were arrested at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage and public order.

"They have all been released on police bail while enquiries into the incident continue." 

On the website, Inotiv, which owns Envigo, said it "delivers exceptional products and services that allow for scientific continuity" and "actively fosters a culture of care towards the animals used and bred at Inotiv at all levels of the company."

The animal welfare statement also said the company "complies with all national  and local regulations as a minimum standard with regard to the care and use of animals within our establishments." 

Inotiv did not respond to a request for comment.