Help Stop Dogs From Being Sent to Research Labs in Georgia

A recent undercover investigation by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has revealed the suffering and abuse of dogs undergoing dental experiments at Georgia Reagents University (GRU). This comes in the wake of yesterday’s announcement from the University of Washington that it is planning to expand its animal research program with $123 million in funds. Doesn’t seem like a good idea now, does it?

HSUS reports that, “[GRU] obtains dogs from a random-source Class B animal dealer who has been formally charged by the U.S. Department of Agriculture with violations of the Animal Welfare Act.”

The Animal Welfare Act is the only federal law in existence that regulates the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport and by dealers.

The experiments performed on the dogs were done in part to compare a dental implant invented by researchers at GRU with that of a competitor, which is unnecessary and not required by law, explains the HSUS. Animal testing will soon be a thing of the past, and abusing animals in frivolous experiments is not going to get any school on the cutting edge of new medical technology.

Dogs at the facility were acquired through Class B Dealers, people who are licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to purchase/resell animals. Class B dealers get animals from “free to a good home” ads online, flea markets, auctions, and even animal shelters if the state allows. As of September of this year, only six Class B Dealers are in operation in the U.S. Of that six, three are under investigation by the USDA for alleged violations of the Animal Welfare Act, according to the HSUS.

Here’s what you can do to help:

• Ask the USDA to investigate further all Class B Dealers with ongoing violations.
• Send a letter to GRU president Dr. Ricardo Azziz to stop these dental experiments.
• Don’t ever list an animal for free on Craigslist.
• Stand up against animal testing at your university – you have a voice, unite others, and speak for those who cannot.

The undercover footage in this video is upsetting. Viewer discretion is advised.

Image Source: Elaine Vigneault / Flickr