FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2025
Contact: Jason Bayless, Vice President
818-382-6500 x 29 | Jason@bfp.org
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Former Texas A&M laboratory technician Catherine Joyce and the nonprofit Beagle Freedom Project (BFP) filed suit in the 472nd Judicial District Court of Brazos County to halt all ongoing and planned dog experiments at Texas A&M University and to secure the release of two beagles, Chami (ear #UFQ-3) and her kennel-mate Felicity (ear #PHW-3). The complaint names Texas A&M and eight laboratory supervisors and veterinarians as defendants.
Joyce documented months of severe psychological distress suffered by Chami—frantic cage-spinning, self-soiling, and fear-biting—while repeated welfare reports were either ignored or scrubbed from official records. When Joyce pressed for enrichment or adoption, Texas A&M reassigned both dogs to a controversial study involving painful infusions and scheduled killing.
“I blew the whistle because Chami was trapped in visible agony and A&M refused to act,” said Catherine Joyce. “No dog should be driven mad in a cage, then killed for research.”
The petition requested a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to immediately block the planned procedures, protect the dogs from further harm, and begin the process of releasing them to safety. On June 2, the court granted the TRO without a hearing, marking a major early victory in the case. The order prohibits Texas A&M and its named personnel from conducting any terminal studies, testing, or similar procedures involving Chami or Felicity.
A Preliminary Injunction hearing is scheduled for June 12 at 9:00 a.m. in the 472nd District Court in Brazos County.
“Texas A&M took taxpayer money for an experiment even the National Institutes of Health is abandoning,” said Shannon Keith, President & Founder of BFP. “We’re demanding the university stop these experiments, respect free speech, and free Chami and Felicity.”
Multiple Animal Welfare Act violations.
Retaliation and wrongful termination of Joyce for reporting abuse and sharing video evidence.
Attempts by Texas A&M officials to silence public criticism, violating BFP’s free-speech rights.
Preliminary Injunction to continue the ban on procedures involving Chami and Felicity while the case moves forward.
Release of Chami and Felicity to BFP for permanent adoption placement.
Permanent Injunction barring Texas A&M from retaliating against whistle-blowers or advocates.
Full case filings, video footage of Chami’s condition, whistle-blower statements, and other supporting materials are available at https://bfp.org/free-chami/.