Five animal rights activists have been given 50 hours community service and one month’s suspended in jail for taking six beagle dogs from kennels in Noord Brabant.

The dogs were destined to be used by MSD Intervet, which produces medicines for animals.

The five, three men and two women ranging in age from 36 to 51, were found guilty by a court in Den Bosch of stealing the dogs.

The court said the five’s claim that they acted in an emergency situation was not justified.

Their statements showed the aim of stealing the dogs was to attract publicity and stimulate public debate about animal testing, the court said. They had also organised a television crew to film their actions. However, they could also have attracted publicity through legal means, the court said.