Programs & Campaigns
A Voice for All Animals
VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine Kills Dog
Awaiting Adoption, Continues with Terminal Surgeries
September 6, 2001
Grant H. Turnwald
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Duck Pond Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0442
Dear Dr. Turnwald,
The New England Anti-Vivisection Society
(NEAVS) was shocked to read that the VA-MD Regional College
of Veterinary Medicine killed Dusty, a dog used for practice
surgery, when an employee was anxiously waiting to adopt him.
First, performing terminal procedures on
healthy animals to teach veterinary students surgery is unnecessary.
Your school, like many other veterinary colleges, recognizes
this and offers terminal surgery practice as an elective.
And, Tufts Veterinary School no longer offers any
terminal surgery on any animals in its curriculum.
Clearly, as scientific studies now show and as humane ethics
always knew, this ritual is not required
to become a competent veterinarian.
Even though the employee’s approach to adopting
Dusty may have been misinformed, the CVM’s refusal to allow
Dusty to be adopted because "The stated mission of Virginia
Tech and the CVM was not, is not, and will not be to provide
adoption services…" is unconscionable. Muscle flexing
that costs animals their lives and students the dignity of
their feelings and ethics is a power-play and education at
its worst.
Lastly, the CVM’s killing of a perfectly
healthy dog for training better learned in other ways is unforgivable.
The callous disregard of animals who are without paying "owners"
is shirking your responsibility. As an institution you should
be teaching not only the science behind being a veterinarian
but as importantly the compassion that one who is responsible
for living beings should possess.
NEAVS awaits a response from you on how
the VA-MD will be changing its curriculum to phase out terminal
procedures on all animals. In particular we welcome
reassurance that such misjudgment that led to Dusty’s killing
is behind you. If we can be of help in developing your surgical
training into a model of excellence and caring, please do
not hesitate to call on us.
Sincerely,
Theodora Capaldo, Ed.D.
President/Executive Director
For further information, contact NEAVS at: 617-523-6020
or info@neavs.org.
|
