They are smart, gentle and trusting. They're a breed that seldom complains. Their friendly nature makes them easily exploitable for animal research.
Campaign against beagle research in New Zealand
CAT AND DOG RESEARCH PETITION DELIVEREDSAFE presented a 12,039-signature petition to Green MP Sue Kedgley last week, calling on the Government to ban experiments on cats and dogs. SAFE's petition was initiated after revelations that large numbers of dogs were bred for research purposes by the Valley Animal Research Centre (VARC), one of the largest suppliers of companion animals for laboratory testing in the southern hemisphere. VARC operates as a contract facility that provides animal experimentation services to national and international clients. A SAFE investigation revealed that VARC holds dozens of beagles in inadequate, barren kennels. "We believe the beagles are used for toxicity testing and some are killed so that their tissue can be examined," says SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek. The presentation of the petition coincided with worldwide activities commemorating World Day for Laboratory Animals on 24 April. In New Zealand, over 300,000 animals are used in animal research each year. While SAFE is opposed to all animal research, the petition focused specifically on the use of cats and dogs in animal research. "Cats and dogs have a special place in New Zealand society as valued companion animals, and most New Zealanders would be horrified to find out that hundreds of cats and dogs are confined in small cages and subjected to potentially cruel and lethal experiments in our nation's laboratories," says Hans. LAB ANIMAL PROTESTOver 25 people demonstrated outside the beagle research and breeding facility, Valley Animal Research Centre (VARC), in Palmerston North last month to commemorate World Laboratory Animal Week. SAFE volunteers from Palmerston North and Wellington participated in the peaceful protest that began in the city centre before relocating to outside VARC's laboratory, where the protest continued. SAFE Palmerston North coordinator Mary Murray reported encouraging local public opposition to VARC, and the Manawatu Standard attended and reported the protest in their newspaper. VARC employees called the police in an attempt to halt the protest, however the officers were so horrified at the living conditions of the beagles they called the SPCA for assistance, seeking immediate action.
The recent Walk for the Animals in Palmerston North, organised by SAFE and Save the Beagles Campaign to protest against animal testing, was a huge success. Despite pouring rain almost 100 people marched around the central city holding placards, banners and wearing animal costumes to voice their opposition to the local animal testing laboratory. SAFE campaign officer Sacha Dowell says, "After learning why we were protesting some of the bystanders joined the march. Most people were horrified to learn there was testing of beagles and other companion animals happening in their region." The march continued on to a nearby hall to listen to scientist Michael Morris, Green Party candidate Lawrence O'Halloran and long-time anti-vivisection campaigner Mark Eden from Save the Beagles Campaign. Well done to the Manawatu SAFE volunteers for organising such a successful event! BALMY IN PALMY FOR ANIMALS! A four-month investigation launched by SAFE last year revealed that beagles and other companion animals are destined for a new wave of New Zealand animal research carried out on behalf of international organisations. Current affairs programme 60 Minutes interviewed the man at the centre of SAFE's campaign, Alan Goldenthal, who made a convincing attempt to justify the use of animals for research. SAFE felt the 60 Minutes programme was disappointing journalism. It was a weak, passive and largely unbalanced look at animal research in New Zealand. The reporter made factually incorrect statements and let the researcher go unchallenged. Watch 60 Minutes VARC is the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere to use beagles for research. Aside from beagles SAFE understands VARC plans to breed cats, horses and rabbits, also for research. While it appears no terminal experiments are taking place right now, the facility is still new. It is likely animals will eventually undergo invasive experiments and be killed. The head of VARC says his animals are necessary research tools in the quest to save human life. The "higher goal" as he describes it.
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