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Horrific undercover footage of a laboratory in the US has revealed dogs being force-fed fungicides.
An investigator from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) documented more than 20 short-term and long-term experiments that involved tests on dogs over the span of 100 days at Charles River Laboratories in Michigan.
The investigation revealed numerous dogs being killed at the end of experiments and others suffering for months.
Pesticide
One of the tests, for a Dow AgroSciences pesticide, involves 36 beagles (often chosen for experiments due to their trusting and gentle natures), being force-fed high-doses of fungicides.
According to HSUS, those who survive until the designated end date of the study in July will be killed.
“Dow has publicly acknowledged that this one-year test is scientifically unnecessary,” HSUS said in a statement. “The United States government eliminated this test as a requirement more than 10 years ago and nearly all countries throughout the world have followed suit through efforts that have been led by Humane Society International in cooperation with members of the industry, including Dow.”
The footage shows horrific animal suffering
‘Disturbing finding’
“The disturbing findings at this facility are sadly not unique,” said Kitty Block, President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States and President of Humane Society International.
“Experiments are happening at hundreds of laboratories each year throughout the country, with more than 60,000 dogs suffering. But that does not have to be the fate for these 36 beagles. For months we have been urging Dow to end the unnecessary test and release the dogs to us.
“We have gone to considerable lengths to assist the company in doing so, but we simply cannot wait any longer; every single day these caged dogs are being poisoned and are one day closer to being killed. We must turn to the public to join us in urging Dow to stop the test immediately and to work with us to get these dogs into suitable homes.”
Animal testing program
“A report by the Humane Society of the U.S. that was issued on March 12, 2019 inaccurately attributes an animal testing program to Dow,” said a Dow company statement.
“Corteva Agriscience™ initiated the study, and has independently operated as the Agriculture division of DowDuPont for the past two years as part of the pending separations. As a result, this matter is managed by Corteva Agriscience™.
“We understand that Corteva and the Humane Society are advocating for Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) to waive the 1-year animal testing requirements in question.”
*This article was updated on March 14 to include the statement from Dow.
