Morrissey joins forces with PETA to try to close beagle-breeding facility

He wrote: "I was shocked to hear from my friends at PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) about plans for a new facility in nearby Grimston that would breed beagles to be used and killed in cruel experiments.

"As I understand it, this hellhole would churn out thousands of dogs a year, confine them to a sterile prison (apparently without access to outdoor runs) and then sell them to laboratories to be injected, infected and dissected.

"Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of knowing a dog can tell you that they are friendly, loyal animals who should be sleeping in our beds, not dying for Botox and Viagra. As an elected official, it's your duty to represent the public - and I can tell you without a doubt that the vast majority of us do not want beagles' blood on our hands. I am therefore urging you to do the right thing by denying this abomination of an establishment a licence."

He is not the only rocker to object to the facility, with Queen guitarist Brian May saying earlier this year that he is "sickened" by it.

He said: ""I am sickened to hear that this facility is to go ahead, ignoring the views of the public and local authorities, and condemning these best friends of man to thousands of unethical and unnecessary tests.

"This is an appalling message for Britain to send out to the world."

Dr Julia Baines, science policy adviser at (PETA) previously said: "It is appalling that, despite objections from over 35,000 PETA supporters, the Government has disregarded the opinions of both the public and local authorities and condemned thousands of dogs to be caged, harmed and killed in experiments by accepting a proposal to build a new beagle-breeding facility, which was originally rightly rejected by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.