PETA Says Dogs Starved, Animal Killings At UMass Medical School

WORCESTER, MA — The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School is now under investigation for the mistreatment of lab animals, according to a detailed report from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

PETA sent complaints strongly urging three government agencies to investigate. Now, PETA said the USDA, the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare at the National Institutes of Health, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health are investigating.

According to PETA, an insider provided documents and disturbing photos of dogs deliberately starved and animals suffering prolonged agonizing deaths in the lab of UMass Chan experimenter Matthew Gounis.

PETA also claimed that the insider said UMass Chan failed to provide adequate veterinary care and safe housing for the animals, while some animals endured painful and invasive surgeries to create artificial "aneurysms."

Staff in other labs at the medical school also failed to properly care for a ferret who endured invasive respiratory experiments, and mistreated pigs and rabbits, according to PETA.

“Dogs starved to fit into kennels, rabbits left with exposed muscle and rotting flesh, and a ferret who lingered for days with a gut blockage before dying in a botched euthanasia—these aren’t isolated incidents, they’re symptoms of systemic problems in UMass Chan’s laboratories,” said PETA Vice President Dr. Alka Chandna. “The laboratories should be shut down and PETA urges an immediate investigation of UMass Chan before any more animals suffer and die.”

In response to PETA's report, UMass Chan Medical School sent Patch the following statement:

"UMass Chan Medical School is committed to upholding the highest standards of laboratory animal welfare in our research programs. UMass Chan remains dedicated to rigorous compliance with all regulations governing the ethical and humane treatment of animals in research and abides by all policies and laws concerning the care of animals which is an integral part of the institution’s research work. Animal care professionals and administrators regularly review procedures regarding animal use protocols. The program is fully accredited by AAALAC International, a private, nonprofit organization focused on improving animal welfare in science. UMass Chan is regularly inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture."

The USDA told Patch that the complaint has been received and is currently being reviewed in accordance with its standard process. Patch also reached out to the Massachusetts Department of Health, the USDA, and the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare at the National Institutes of Health for comment and has not yet received a response.

You can read more of PETA's report and find whistleblower photos here.

See Also:

• Mass. Colleges Tighten Security Following Brown University Shooting
• Worcester Community Action Council Gets $100K In Emergency Funding
  
• Worcester Police Warn Of 'Porch Pirates' Who Target, Steal Packages