Undercover investigation discovers pesticides being tested on beagles, Humane Society says

The Humane Society of the United States says it discovered in an undercover investigation that pesticides are being tested on 36 beagles at a lab in Michigan.

The organization says over 60,000 dogs are used in toxicity tests and research every year in the United States. Now the Humane Society wants people to demand the immediate release of the 36 dogs.

Read about the full investigation here.

According to the undercover investigation, workers at the lab use gelatin capsules, fill them with the prescribed amount of fungicide and then force the capsules down the beagles’ throats sometimes using up to four capsules per dog depending on the dose.

"This cruel and unnecessary testing includes the force-feeding of pesticides to the dogs, who are otherwise held in practically barren cages," the Humane Society said. "There is no way out for dogs like these. The dogs who don't die from the poison throughout the tests are scheduled to be euthanized in early July."

In response to the Humane Society's investigation, Dow released the following statement:

“A report by the Humane Society of the U.S. that was issued on March 12, 2019 inaccurately attributes an animal testing program to Dow. Corteva Agriscience™ initiated the study, and has independently operated as the Agriculture division of DowDuPont for the past two years as part of the pending separations. As a result, this matter is managed by Corteva Agriscience™. We understand that Corteva and the Humane Society are advocating for Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) to waive the 1-year animal testing requirements in question.”

A petition is online to demand that the lab running the alleged tests, stop immediately and release the dogs.

To sign the petition, click here.