Protesters against animal testing are expected to gather in Harrogate from across Britain next week over a drug development facility on the site of what was Covance.

The protest by campaign group Save The Dogs will take place on Tuesday, July 21 outside Labcorp Harrogate at 1pm.

A global life sciences and healthcare company that operates primarily as a massive clinical reference laboratory, Labcorp describes its Harrogate operations as a "nonclinical facility. Specialized Expertise: Preclinical pharmaceutical development; Crop protection and chemical product development."

The facilities off Otley Road have been the scene of occasional protests over the decades on and off since the days of Covance, a major employer in the town.

The pharmaceutical development facilities off Otley Road in Harrogate have been the scene of occasional protests over the decades on and off since the days of Covance, a major employer in the town. (Picture contributed)

placeholder image — The pharmaceutical development facilities off Otley Road in Harrogate have been the scene of occasional protests over the decades on and off since the days of Covance, a major employer in the town. (Picture contributed)

Harrogate’s return to the spotlight over the treatment of animals coincides with the launch of Save The Dogs in April to bring national attention to the cruelty of laboratory beagle breeding and animal testing.

Built as a social-first campaign, Save The Dogs UK says it exists to raise awareness of laboratory beagle breeding, campaign for an end to animal testing, and promote greater investment in modern, human-relevant alternatives.

It quickly made the news earlier this year when it delivered an open letter to the directors of MBR Acres Ltd, inviting the company to enter into constructive dialogue “about the future of laboratory beagle breeding in the UK and the peaceful closure of its Cambridgeshire facility”.

The campaign group claims it has garnered 50,000-plus followers across multiple social media platforms since its launch with 4.2 million-plus online views,

Anyone interested in taking part in next Tuesday’s protest is asked to meet up near the Pine Marten pub restaurant.

The protest will then walk in silence to Labcorp.

The advice is to wear something black.