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A Voice for All Animals

NEAVS Responds to Researchers' Public Claims of Sentiment in Houston Chronicle

October 16, 2001

Letter to the Editor
Houston Chronicle
P.O. Box 4260
Houston, TX   77210

To the Editor,

Researchers who lost "colleagues" (Leigh Hopper-- Scientists Hold Memorial for Animal Colleagues Lost in Flood, Oct 5, 2001) to Tropical Storm Allison when labs flooded, may have considered these animals their friends. But, their public show of sentiment is suspect and is, in fact, a manipulation of public opinion about how researchers care for animals.

If their attachment were real, why wasn't an emergency evacuation plan in place? Why were the animals abandoned to certain death? Researchers at University of Texas and Baylor College "lost the animals entrusted to [their] care." Why isn't this neglect being viewed as criminal animal cruelty? Why are those responsible not being called to task? The answer is simple: because they were "laboratory animals" --therefore, no one has done anything wrong!

Yet, one can only imagine the horrific deaths these animals experienced as flood waters rose around their locked cages--fear, panic, suffering and awareness of no possible escape.

This conduct by research officials should be punished, not condoned through fluffy articles that manipulate the emotions of readers. The true response to the supposed "touching tribute" should be outrage that those involved did not care enough to spare the animals a cruel death.

A new breed of animal activist, The Laboratory Primate Advocacy Group (LPAG), is made up solely of current and former animal caregivers, technicians and researchers from laboratories who left because of what they saw. They are committed to ending experimentation on primates.

It is important to remember that there are some people "inside" who care. But, their ability to effect change from within is non-existent. Therefore, those inside who really care ally themselves with groups like LPAG, the New England Anti-Vivisection Society (NEAVS) or others to effect meaningful change; they don't just leave animals in the basement to drown.

Sincerely,

Theodora Capaldo, Ed.D.
President/Executive Director

For further information, contact NEAVS at: 617-523-6020 or info@neavs.org.