RSPCA: Harrowing scenes of suffering in animal experiment footage
RSPCA supports calls for public enquiry
The RSPCA is appalled and horrified by the levels of animal suffering revealed in undercover footage of animal experiments at a leading UK university, and is supporting calls for an independent inquiry.
Harrowing scenes filmed at Imperial College in London show staff carrying out surgery on rats which are not properly anaesthetised; killing others using inhumane techniques and botching various surgical procedures.
In the shocking images filmed undercover by British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV), staff often appear to be incompetent and untrained – making unacceptable mistakes and causing horrific suffering.
RSPCA Chief Executive Gavin Grant said: “This footage is appalling – one of the worst and most upsetting cases our research animal experts have ever seen. Many of us have been close to tears watching it.
“It shows total incompetence and a complete disregard for the animals experimented on and the legislation which has been put in place to protect them.
“I am quite simply revolted at the pain and distress these animals had to endure. How people could cause such suffering – and also witness it and do nothing – is totally beyond me.”
Imperial College is one of the many organisations that is signed up to a ‘Declaration on Openness in Animal Research’ which claims that UK research ‘meets the highest welfare standards’.
Evidence from the footage shows these standards are not being met and the RSPCA supports the BUAV in their call for an independent inquiry and will be making our own representations to the Government, including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Home Office, and to Imperial College.
The RSPCA would prosecute anyone causing the level of suffering to animals shown in the footage.
“It is frankly obscene that Imperial College has signed up to a declaration that includes high animal welfare standards when there is such atrocious practice under its own roof,” added Gavin Grant.
“If the scientific community really cares about animal welfare, as they so often claim to do, then we expect to hear them speak out and condemn this appalling breach of trust.”
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Notes to editors
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