In the face of growing pressure from WCW, Congress, media, veterans, and other taxpayers, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a new, expanded effort to curb wasteful and cruel taxpayer-funded dog experiments.
The VA reports that it has not approved any new dog experiments since last year, and that it is reviewing all ongoing projects with an eye towards phasing them out. VA also states that it intends to fund the development of alternatives to dog experimentation.
VA promises full review of all canine medical testing, with a goal of ending the practice https://t.co/HuuHxuaqo0 pic.twitter.com/tRXga6Xqwy
— Military Times (@MilitaryTimes) March 13, 2018
ABC Richmond has also confirmed that two new experiments involving dogs have been canceled:
VA now says it could phase out use of dogs in research. Two studies requesting dogs told to find alternatives. https://t.co/lnnPCPNH93
— Kerri O’Brien (@Kerri8News) March 13, 2018
The VA’s move comes just a couple weeks after Secretary David Shulkin reversed his opposition to reforms saying he doesn’t see a need for dog research, and AMVETS’s Sherman Gillums explained in the Washington Times why he has rolled-back his earlier support for VA’s dog tests.
The VA has a history of releasing false and misleading information about its dog testing–like when it denied using puppies, and claimed it “adopted out” dogs it actually killed–so WCW is proceeding with great caution until there are more concrete changes and commitments.
Military Times quoted Justin Goodman, WCW’s Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy, saying:
“We’re cautiously optimistic that the VA will agree none of these wasteful projects deserve taxpayers’ support, as many veterans and leading veterans’ organizations have already determined and communicated to the VA and Congress.”