According to Jennifer Bartolotta, a member of the Wisconsin Humane Society Board, The Medical College of Wisconsin is one of three institutions in the country that continues the practice of using Beagles in first-year medical classes. Now, the Humane Society seeks support from the community in voicing opposition to this practice.

A link to the petition Web site is below.

"We have been working with the Medical College of Wisconsin for the past 2 years in an attempt to strongly encourage them to end the practice of using Beagles in first year medical classes," Bartolotta wrote in an e-mail.

The next Medical College class starts in February, and WHS is trying to make a difference by reaching out to the powers at be and finally end what many see as the senseless killing of animals. The school has discussed replacing dogs with pigs in 2008, according to media reports.

Earlier this month a billboard appeared near Hwy. 45 and Hampton Avenue decrying the research. It bears a link to www.SaveMCWanimals.org.