Oscar-winning producers Ross Kauffman and Sarah Sarandos have joined the production team for "They Were Good Dogs," a documentary exposing the breeding and testing of beagles in pharmaceutical and chemical research facilities. Directed by Lily Blavin in her feature directorial debut, the film results from six years of investigation into practices that kill an estimated 70,000 beagles annually. The project matters because most people are unaware of this hidden industry, making public exposure potentially crucial for systemic change.

The documentary features exclusive undercover footage, whistleblower testimony, and unprecedented access to animal rescue activists. A pivotal moment documented in the film shows activists descending on Ridglan Farms in Wisconsin, resulting in a tense standoff with law enforcement that culminated in Blavin negotiating the rescue of all 2,100 beagles from the facility. The film also includes testimony from a whistleblower inside a major laboratory that has never been previously infiltrated, providing rare insider perspective on the testing industry.