Beagles being tested on

[TheVolturi]

I came across this via a link for a petition I was sent. I had no idea that this was happening and I am so shocked and upset. Yes we know that animals are tested on, but we often don't think about it. These beagles are bred to be tested on and are subjected to all kinds of horrors all while spending their lives in a cage. Surely this needs to stop?

www.peta.org.uk/blog/cambridgeshire-beagle-animal-experiments/

Just for some info on the non-PETA side:

www.eara.eu/why-dogs-are-used-in-research

Scientists don't experiment on animals for the fun of it, they do so because at the moment it is in some cases the best/only way they have of testing crucial drugs and treatments.

There is a lot of work going on to minimise the use of animals in scientific research, including developing alternatives to animal testing. Scientists have to adhere to extremely rigourous ethics guidelines when undertaking research on animals, to minimise their use, and maximise the outcomes.

To gain funding (in the UK at least) for research that involves animals, scientists have to demonstrate how they have followed the principles of the 3 Rs (Replacement, Refinement and Reduction). nc3rs.org.uk/the-3rs

Everyone would prefer it if animals did not have to be used in medical research - PETA are quick to criticise, but slow in coming up with viable alternatives that will still allow life-saving treatments to be developed.

The language on the PETA site is so ridiculous that I can’t take any of it seriously

Puppies ‘snatched away from their mothers at 16 weeks’?
All pet puppies are weaned at 8 weeks so what’s the issue there?
Cages ‘stacked carelessly’?

I’m afraid if the whole page is full of bullshit, I’m taking their claims with a massive pinch of salt

Peta kill more animals than any testing lab would ever do.They have a shocking destruction rate.
Everyone would prefer not to use animals for testing,but at the moment there are no viable alternatives. Plus how do veterinary drugs get tested if not on the species that they are designed for?

Yes, Peta have an appalling record of killing animals, for no other reason that that they can.

Would you be happy for your child to have medication that hasn't been tested on animals OP?

Actually, I don't agree. I think scientists are inured to testing on animals and it's often a cheaper option than others. If scientists care so much, why don't medical research labs put copious amounts of money into coming up with alternatives? Because there's no actual money in coming up with alternatives.
But I can save some money right now. If you put bleach, or detergent, or cleaning fluids, or makeup removers into your eye it will hurt and could blind you. There you go, so now no one need stick them in animals eyes. See how much money I saved the industry. Oh yeah, and if you feed poison pellets to your dogs, they'll probably die too, so I've saved the industry more money by them no longer having to annually poison some dogs in their research labs just to keep the eu govts happy.

@titchy

Would you be happy for your child to have medication that hasn't been tested on animals OP?

It's a ridiculous argument. I'd be happy for them to test the medication on you if it saved my child. I think I'd probably be happy for them to test on you if it saved my dog. Actually, and I'm sorry to say, I'd be happy for them to test it on your child if it saved my child, and, yes, maybe even my dog.

And that's why you're not allowed to be a judge or jury member on a legal case which involves a family member. Because you can't make impartial decisions.

What the beagles go through is horrific.

Scientists pick beagles because they're forgiving, loving towards humans and, generally, have a calm and non-aggressive nature.

I have a beagle and I've seen the aftermath of ex-laboratory beagles who have never been walked, have never felt grass under their paws, have never met other dogs, have never been inside a house - nothing. It's horrific and these dogs are traumatised for life because of what they go through.

All that being said, I'm not a fan of PETA and I don't think they're as kind to animals as they like to make out that they are.

Whilst the PETA literature is probably to be avoided, there are lots of people in the beagle community who have or have previously homed ex lab beagles and have begun to campaign to end this practice. The site in Huntington Cambs in particular always use beagles and has recently attracted the attention of Ricky Gervais and Peter Egan who are backing the campaign.

As an owner of a rescue beagle myself I agree that it's appalling and it's heartbreaking to see the condition of some of the dogs coming into beagle rescues.

Hi, sorry I've not been back, had a busy day. I really was not aware about peta, that was just a link that I clicked and then shared here, the issue though still stands regardless of peta. It just seems so wrong?
I understand that medicines have to be tested of course they do, but surely they could be better tested on willing people? I have always assumed that testing was on laboratory rats, which is bad enough because they are really intelligent creatures themselves. I just can't imagine such lovely dogs being used in this way, it seems so wrong to happen at all, let alone in the UK.

I understand that medicines have to be tested of course they do, but surely they could be better tested on willing people?

It would be incredibly negligent to test on people without rigorous first testing in animals. Small mammals are used first - mice. Then larger mammals - beagles because they are docile, but also because their organs are the right sort of size. Human testing is only once high order mammal testing done and safe.

Google TGN1412 for an example of what can go wrong with human testing.

@TheVolturi

Hi, sorry I've not been back, had a busy day. I really was not aware about peta, that was just a link that I clicked and then shared here, the issue though still stands regardless of peta. It just seems so wrong? I understand that medicines have to be tested of course they do, but surely they could be better tested on willing people? I have always assumed that testing was on laboratory rats, which is bad enough because they are really intelligent creatures themselves. I just can't imagine such lovely dogs being used in this way, it seems so wrong to happen at all, let alone in the UK.

How long have you volunteered as a human tester, OP?

How many medications have you tested in that time?

If researchers were as concerned about testing as some on here imply, there's an easy way to cut back on the number of animals used. When anyone does a test on an animal, immediately share the results with all research labs around the world. But they won't because each researcher wants to be the one who makes the discovery. And each research company wants the patent to the drug. And so the same experiments are repeated time after time. So don't say researchers care. They only care as long as it doesn't affect their money and renown

The idea that they use animals cos they're cheap is an absolutely ridiculous notion. each one of these animals is specially bred and costs thousands of pounds, and that's before the lab has paid for their licence (another few thousand), housing, food, medical care etc. alternatives are massively cheaper but currently there just isn't an alternative that is as precise and accurate.

Beagles are used for several reasons 1. historically that's what they used and because they are bred specifically to breed out diseases etc starting new lines of different breeds would take decades 2. generally they do well in packs which is the environment they live 3. using lots of different breeds may result in different results 4. they're the right size to be easy to use.

There are strict rules on using dogs and they can only be used when there is no other animal suitable (with the exception of primates)

FYI i've been in that facility and the dogs are actually well cared for and loved by the carers. they are most definitely not "stacked". I do not, nor have i ever, worked for the facility though

If you want to know more then the website understanding animal research is absolutely fabulous

Aww, isn't that lovely all that money bring spent on the medical care of those mice! You're not an Eskimo by any chance are you, because I've got some ice to sell you.
If they spend thousands of pounds on each mouse 🙄 , and love and care for them so much, you'd think they'd be more than willing to reduce the amount of animals they use by sharing the results across the world so tests aren't repeated.
And I bet those beagles that had masks strapped on and cigarette smoke forced into their lungs every day, or the rabbits with the necks held in vices with chemicals in their eyes, or dogs poisoned by slug pellets every year (not because the formulation changed but because EU laws state it must be done annually), I bet they all really appreciate the lurve.

@Porridgealert

Aww, isn't that lovely all that money bring spent on the medical care of those mice! You're not an Eskimo by any chance are you, because I've got some ice to sell you. If they spend thousands of pounds on each mouse 🙄 , and love and care for them so much, you'd think they'd be more than willing to reduce the amount of animals they use by sharing the results across the world so tests aren't repeated. And I bet those beagles that had masks strapped on and cigarette smoke forced into their lungs every day, or the rabbits with the necks held in vices with chemicals in their eyes, or dogs poisoned by slug pellets every year (not because the formulation changed but because EU laws state it must be done annually), I bet they all really appreciate the lurve.

Exactly, I can't imagine how the brains work of the people that 'look after' those poor dogs. Knowing that they are having harmful things done to them every day. There is a lot of people on here justifying the cruelty and being quite snippy to me for posting this. I actually posted it in the Doghouse where you'd think most people would agree with me. No idea why it was moved tbh. Obviously drugs need to be tested. But some things are not essential and why should defenceless animals be subjected to having to test them? Most families have a dog these days, we should be horrified that dogs are used like this.