Government probe into animal lab cruelty video
02-11-2009 Portsmouth Today, UK
The government has launched an investigation after claims that animals are facing cruel and agonising deaths at a testing laboratory.
Official guidelines allow mice to have their necks broken to ensure a quick death, and ballpoint pens are often used. But film shot at Wickham Laboratories shows some being left writhing after their backs were mistakenly broken.
The BUAV has carried out an undercover investigation inside a major UK animal laboratory and discovered the ugly truth about botox animal testing. Our investigator found that at a lab in Hampshire around 74,000 mice a year are being subjected to cruel poisoning tests for botox.
The footage, shot by an investigator from the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection over eight months, also includes botched injections given to struggling rabbits, which are immobilised in 'stocks' for up to eight hours in experiments that test whether drugs cause fevers. Staff are also reportedly seen swearing at the rabbits.
Many of the rabbit tests, although licensed by the government, are not required under international pharmaceutical testing standards. The Home Office has launched a probe into the claims. A spokesman said: 'We authorise animal research only when it can be justified. We require the highest standards, and will examine any evidence that suggests these standards are not being met.'
Chris Bishop, the technical director of Wickham Laboratories, said he could not comment on the footage but would seek opportunities to improve lab practice. The company added: 'The welfare and care of our research animals is paramount.'
(Bron: http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/)
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