Undercover video footage reveals terrible plight of animals at Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology (LPT)
Our investigation with SOKO Tierschutz at Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology (LPT) in Germany has found shocking levels of animal suffering that we believe breach European and German animal testing laws. Graphic undercover footage of dogs left bleeding and dying, and monkeys routinely abused has lifted the lid of secrecy on regulatory safety testing and revealed the cruelty caused to animals.
LPT is a family owned contract-testing laboratory carrying out toxicity testing for pharmaceutical, industrial and agrochemical companies from all over the world in order to meet the requirements of governments and regulatory authorities.
Toxicity testing involves poisoning animals to see how much of a chemical or drug it takes to cause serious harm, in an attempt to measure what a ‘safe’ dose for humans might be. Animals are injected with or made to eat or inhale increasing amounts of a substance to measure the toxic effects which can be severe and include vomiting, internal bleeding, respiratory distress, fever, weight loss, lethargy, skin problems, organ failure and even death. No anaesthetics or pain relief are provided.
Because each species of animal often reacts differently to the same substance and the reaction in human beings may be totally different, the tests are, we believe, also unreliable predictors for safe and effective drugs for humans.
The findings from this investigation at the LPT site where monkeys, cats, dogs and rabbits are used, show beyond doubt that using animals in this way is deeply inhumane. Amongst other things, our findings show dogs left to suffer when it was clear that they were very ill and even dying; dogs kept in barren housing; monkeys wrenched from their cages and restrained in barbaric devices; gratuitous cruelty and lack of overnight care.
Michelle Thew, Chief Executive of Cruelty Free International stated: “Our investigation has uncovered appalling animal suffering, inadequate care, poor practices and breaches of European and German law. We are calling for the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology (LPT) to be closed. We are also calling for a comprehensive review into the use of animals in regulatory toxicity testing in Europe, including the UK. Every investigation, without fail, shows a similar tale of misery and disregard of the law.
Every year, animals across Europe are deliberately poisoned in regulatory toxicity tests that can cause them terrible suffering. The evidence from our investigation has lifted the lid on the secrecy that continues to surround the use of animals in these cruel and outdated tests. The graphic footage - beagles left bleeding and dying and monkeys severely distressed and mistreated - illustrates just how appalling their suffering is.”
We are demanding that the German authorities close this facility immediately. We also want an urgent root and branch review of toxicity testing in the UK and Europe so that cruelty like this cannot be allowed to take place in any laboratory. We need your help.
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WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES. Watch the full investigation video footage here.