Watchdog group wins against Pentagon animal testing, lawmakers ask for money details.
Lawmakers and animal rights advocates have been up in arms over the Pentagon’s involvement in sanctioning painful experiments on dogs. The Defense Department is just the latest agency to be exposed for this unethical practice, with calls for an end to such testing growing louder.
The White Coat Waste Project (WCW), a watchdog organization dedicated to putting an end to taxpayer-funded animal experimentation, has been at the forefront of efforts to stop these cruel practices. WCW’s vice president, Justin Goodman, highlighted the Pentagon’s testing on dogs as well as disturbing reports of “electroshocking” cats for research purposes, including studies on erectile dysfunction.
Following the public outcry, House lawmakers introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) aimed at banning the Pentagon from continuing biomedical testing on animals. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a member of the Congressional Dog Caucus, played a key role in drafting the amendment.
A letter addressed to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin demands transparency on the details of dog testing, the number of dogs involved, the USDA “pain category” of Pentagon tests, and justification for conducting canine testing when the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) does not require it for human drugs.
The letter also requests information on current grants and contracts related to animal testing, shedding light on the excessive spending on these unethical practices. Goodman emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in how taxpayer dollars are being used for experiments on animals.
Lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle have joined forces to condemn the Pentagon’s testing on animals. Reps. Kim, Malliotakis, Lawler, Fitzpatrick, Nehls, and others have all expressed outrage over the inhumane treatment of dogs and cats in these experiments.
In response to the mounting pressure, a Pentagon spokesperson stated that the agency will directly address the concerns raised in the letter from lawmakers. However, the spokesperson refrained from commenting on proposed legislation related to banning animal testing.
Efforts to halt animal experimentation extend beyond the Pentagon, with initiatives to end testing on cats, dogs, and primates by various government agencies gathering momentum. The VA, under Secretary McDonough’s leadership, has taken steps to suspend such testing, signaling a shift towards more ethical research practices.
The controversy surrounding Pentagon’s animal testing practices has sparked calls for greater accountability and a reevaluation of how taxpayer funds are being allocated for research. Advocates stress the importance of embracing alternative, non-animal testing methods and advancing technological innovations in research.
