Latest Update on Tufts Students Trying to Save Dogs:

Tufts Students Announce Death of Dogs (January 2, 2004)

Regrettably, we have been informed that, despite the efforts of students and the New England Anti-Vivisection Society (NEAVS), as well as the enormous outpouring of public opposition, the five remaining dogs in the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine's osteotomy/bone-breaking study have been killed. Dean Philip Kosch made the announcement in a campus-wide email at 1:00 PM today.

Despite the sad end to this unjustifiable experiment, we are hopeful that the plight of the six dogs will serve to inform us all that more thorough review of all future research protocols must be undertaken at Tufts and at other schools and laboratories across the country. We trust that because of this campaign, the public has become more aware of the inhumane nature of some experimentation and the need for reform to ensure that all research is conducted with the highest level of dignity and respect for the animals involved. Our collective efforts on the dogs' behalf and their death must inspire scientists to actively search for alternatives, including the use of clinical patients, rather than using experimental animal models that cause suffering and death. In addition, we hope that other students and faculty everywhere will come forward and address their administrations when they find ethically questionable activities. Change can only occur if concerns are brought forward and we work together to set a higher standard for the ethical treatment of animals.

The students, NEAVS and many concerned citizens will continue to work with the administration and faculty at Tufts to improve ethical standards of scientific experimentation. We hope that the dialogue inspired by this controversy will motivate those at Tufts to return the veterinary school to its roots as a leader in humane veterinary practice, education and research. We hope that this issue will unite our campus in pursuing this goal.

Thank you to the public for your enormous support. Our courage in making this matter public was upheld by your calls and letters and the well wishes you gave us. We ask that you continue to demand a higher ethical standard for animal experimentation at Tufts and all other research universities and institutions. Finally, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to NEAVS whose work for these dogs and animals in labs everywhere is an inspiration to us and all compassionate people.

Sincerely,
Tara Turner, student co-ordinator
Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine
Animals and Public Policy Program