The Plague Dogs (1982)

 

Two dogs escape from a laboratory and are hunted as possible carriers of the bubonic plague.

From memory: Similar to his previous Watership Down, Martin Rosen's animated adaptation of another Richard Adams novel is really not suitable for young audience as it depicts the harrowing fates of two escaped laboratory dogs and their nearly hopeless fight against the gruesomeness that humans afflict to them.

Halliwell (no star): "Misguided and woefully overlong attempt to preach a message through a cartoon. Like Watership Down, it needs the printed word and is deflected by the inevitably cuddly look of the animated animals." 

Maltin***: "Unusual animated adventure...A bit slow-moving but beautifully animated; a poignant plea for animal rights. For adults and older children only."