Photo from PETA video (KTLA-TV) |
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- You've likely heard the term lab rat, but what about lab dog? Approximately 70,000 dogs are tested on yearly in the United States.
The dogs are routinely used in experimental surgical procedures and toxicology tests for cosmetics.
The breed of dog most tested on is the Beagle.
The dogs are sometimes tattooed to remain anonymous, and their vocal chords are often removed so they don't disturb the lab technicians.
And a lot of the companies that test on dogs make products you may use every single day in your home.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) shared undercover video shot at a lab in North Carolina with KTLA.
The images show what it can be like for dogs who live their entire lives at research facilities -- often injected with drugs, prodded, poked and illegally burned with chemicals.
"What we found were just horrifying conditions," PETA's Lindsay Rajt told KTLA.
"The people using animals in testing like the beagle because they are small dogs, friendly and docile," Rajt said. "They can be manipulated."
Shannon Keith, a Los Angeles attorney, started the non-profit the Beagle Freedom Project to try to save some of the beagles.
She's formed a trusting confidential relationship with a liason at a lab, and is now called when a facility is ready to release animals.
Just last month, nine beagles were made available. Forty-eight hours later, the animals were in her possession.
"They were so scared it took them at least 15 minutes to even step on the grass," Keith told KTLA.
"They had never felt grass, never been outdoors, never seen the sun. It was bittersweet."
Now, those dogs are running around and happy, but Keith says there are thousands more still living in cages and being tested on.
"The amazing thing about these dogs is that no matter what they have been through -- and we're sure it's worse than you can imagine -- they are still so loving and sweet," Keith said. "They are amazing."
A lab in North Carolina was shut down in part due to PETA's investigation, and, just last week, in a historic ruling, four workers there were indicted on felony charges for animal abuse.
The Beagle Freedom Project says the best way to take a stand against animal testing is to be more aware of the products you buy.
For a guide to companies that do and do not test on animals, visit: http://www.peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/default.aspx.
There's also an iPhone app that gives you information about animal testing.
For more information on the Beagle Freedom project, visit: www.beaglefreedomproject.org
The dogs are routinely used in experimental surgical procedures and toxicology tests for cosmetics.
The breed of dog most tested on is the Beagle.
The dogs are sometimes tattooed to remain anonymous, and their vocal chords are often removed so they don't disturb the lab technicians.
And a lot of the companies that test on dogs make products you may use every single day in your home.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) shared undercover video shot at a lab in North Carolina with KTLA.
The images show what it can be like for dogs who live their entire lives at research facilities -- often injected with drugs, prodded, poked and illegally burned with chemicals.
"What we found were just horrifying conditions," PETA's Lindsay Rajt told KTLA.
"The people using animals in testing like the beagle because they are small dogs, friendly and docile," Rajt said. "They can be manipulated."
Shannon Keith, a Los Angeles attorney, started the non-profit the Beagle Freedom Project to try to save some of the beagles.
She's formed a trusting confidential relationship with a liason at a lab, and is now called when a facility is ready to release animals.
Just last month, nine beagles were made available. Forty-eight hours later, the animals were in her possession.
"They were so scared it took them at least 15 minutes to even step on the grass," Keith told KTLA.
"They had never felt grass, never been outdoors, never seen the sun. It was bittersweet."
Now, those dogs are running around and happy, but Keith says there are thousands more still living in cages and being tested on.
"The amazing thing about these dogs is that no matter what they have been through -- and we're sure it's worse than you can imagine -- they are still so loving and sweet," Keith said. "They are amazing."
A lab in North Carolina was shut down in part due to PETA's investigation, and, just last week, in a historic ruling, four workers there were indicted on felony charges for animal abuse.
The Beagle Freedom Project says the best way to take a stand against animal testing is to be more aware of the products you buy.
For a guide to companies that do and do not test on animals, visit: http://www.peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/default.aspx.
There's also an iPhone app that gives you information about animal testing.
For more information on the Beagle Freedom project, visit: www.beaglefreedomproject.org
