Thousands of animals dying each day after scientific tests in Victoria

EVERYDAY more than 1330 animals die in the name of science in Victoria, including dogs, cats, monkeys and pigs and animal activists are calling for an end to the “cruelty”.

Many cute pigs on a pigfarm THINKSTOCK IMAGE

EVERYDAY more than 1330 animals die in the name of science in Victoria.

Pound dogs, monkeys, cats and hundreds of thousands of mice were among the animals which died in labs to test numerous human diseases, products and breeding practices.

In total almost 486,500 animals were killed as part of an experiment or euthanised after the tests were done.

The alarming figure was revealed in the annual report into animal research for 2014 which shines a light on the cost of scientific advancement in Victoria.

More than 910,000 animals were used for an array of research, however the figure has dropped from the 1.28 million in 2012 and is at its lowest on record in 10 years.

Animals activist group PETA Australia has repeatedly called for scientists to stop lab testing.

“Animal testing is cruel and bad science,’’ campaign coordinator Claire Fryer said

“Vivisectors continue to give excuses for archaic methods instead of using the most modern practices, which means hundreds of thousands of scared and lonely animals will continue to suffer and die this year.

“Australia must commit to funding and implementing only non-animal research.``

Agriculture minister Jaala Pulford said animal testing was necessary but welcomed the news the number of animals used was decreasing.

“The latest report demonstrates the lowest number of animals used in a decade,’’ Mr Pulford said.

“This decrease is welcomed by the Andrews Government and highlights research only takes place when it is crucial to improve education and help find cures to some of our most life threatening diseases.”

“Victorian legislation ensures that unnecessary animal use is not permitted and mandates the respectful treatment of research animals.”

Mice and fish were the most commonly used and make up most deaths in labs, but Australian marsupials and guinea pigs are also among the statistics.

Horrifically 12,666 animals had equipment permanently attached or inserted into their bodies and 83,961 were given major physiological changes as part of the testing.

However not all of the projects included ghastly lab procedures.

More than 140,700 animals were observed in their natural habitat and 145, 647 were animals which participated in experiments on farms.

All tests are approved by the Bureau of Animal Welfare, overseen by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries.

During 2014 one in four animals used were subjected to procedures with minimal impact and only 26 per cent underwent small procedures such as blood sampling.

The number of animals which were purposely killed amounted to less than one per cent.

Animals deaths in Victoria research 2014

Total — 486, 486

Mice — 383, 822

Guinea pigs — 4172

Sheep — 3120

Pigs — 1453

Rabbits — 1009

Domestic dogs — 161

Domestic cats — 78

Macaques — 10