Shelter Dogs Die in Wayne State University Experiments

Charlie was forced to run treadmill exercises with a high fever and while vomiting almost daily—until she died. She and other former companion dogs obtained from animal shelters undergo painful heart experiments at Wayne State University in violation of Michigan’s animal cruelty law, says a PCRM legal complaint.

In the complaint filed with the Wayne County prosecuting attorney, PCRM asks that Wayne State be prosecuted for felony animal cruelty for forcing hundreds of dogs— many former companion animals obtained from state animal shelters—to endure lengthy treadmill tests after multiple major surgeries.

According to medical records obtained through Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act, Charlie, a hound-Labrador mix, experienced two major surgeries to place medical devices in her body and had weeping wounds where catheters protruded. Jessie, a husky, didn’t suffer as long as Charlie. She died suddenly in February of this year, just six days after her first surgery. PCRM has obtained a photo of Queenie, a Dalmatian mix, who died in Wayne State’s laboratory in 2010.

“Felony animal cruelty charges should be brought against Wayne State, and the use of dogs in painful heart experiments should be halted immediately,” says John J. Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C., a cardiologist and director of academic affairs for PCRM. “Michigan’s animal cruelty law was enacted to protect dogs and other animals from unrelieved pain such as that experienced by Charlie, Jessie, and Queenie.”

The legal complaint states, “Wayne State University’s use of dogs in cardiovascular forced exercise experiments does not represent the ‘humane’ research protected by Michigan law, and we request that Wayne State University be charged with felony animal cruelty under MCL §750.50(2)(b) for cruelly working hundreds of dogs by forcing them to endure lengthy treadmill tests after multiple major surgeries.”

To learn more about Wayne State’s inhumane dog experiments, visit PCRM.org/WayneStateDogExperiments.