PUPPERS Act Would Ban Painful Experimentation on Dogs By the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - National Humane Education Society

Paws Up!
October 27, 2017

To Virginia Republican Rep. Dave Brat for sponsoring the PUPPERS Act, which would ban the Department of Veterans Affairs from conducting medical studies that cause significant pain or stress to dogs. 

A new bill, known as the Preventing Unkind and Painful Procedures and Experiments on Respected Species (PUPPERS) Act would prohibit the VA from conducting any painful experimental on dogs. While rats and other small mammals comprise the vast majority of test subjects in U.S. laboratories, medical experimentation on dogs is still ongoing. Typically, beagles are used due to their compact size and trusting nature. The young dogs are procured from facilities that mass-breed the dogs for sale to laboratories. Once the beagles arrive at the laboratory, they may be used in any number of medical experiments. Researchers induce heart attacks, lung damage, neurological damage, and botched surgeries. If an experiment itself doesn’t result in death, a “used” beagle is typically destroyed at the conclusion of the study.

Take action. Contact your representative and urge them to support the Puppers Act.

                                                                                                                              Re: The PUPPERS Act

Dear Representative _____________:

My name is [Your Name} and I am writing to express my support of the PUPPERS Act, which would end painful experimentation on dogs by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Dogs’ value to humankind is far more than their cells and tissues. For thousands of years, dogs have been our friends, shepherds, protectors, and therapists. They have played with our children, fought in our wars, patrolled our streets, and become members of our families. We cannot in good conscience inflict terror, pain, and death upon these animals for no other reason than the hope of scientific, or even medical discovery. I very much hope you will support the PUPPERS Act to save the lives of the best friends that humans have ever known.

Sincerely,

Your Name