Melbourne, July 24: Animal rights groups PETA U.S., PETA Australia, and Alliance for HOPE International have jointly called on Animal Welfare Victoria to investigate Monash University over newly uncovered animal experiments that allegedly breach the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 and Australia’s ethical research standards.
According to the groups, the latest tests involved dropping weights on the heads of pregnant rats, resulting in severe injuries including eye damage and possible brain trauma. The rats reportedly did not receive adequate pain relief, and some were subjected to strangulation before being killed.
The experiments, designed to model the impact of domestic violence on humans, have been deemed by the groups as both cruel and scientifically flawed.
The significant physiological and psychological differences between humans and rats render the models ineffective, the organisations argue.
Follow-up letters have also been sent to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Elsevier, the publisher of the studies, with demands for retractions and a re-evaluation of ethical approvals.
This follows a March report where Monash researchers were accused of bashing or strangling dozens of adolescent female rats, prompting widespread condemnation and further scrutiny of the university’s animal testing practices.
PETA U.S. Vice President Shalin Gala condemned the use of violent methods in animal research and urged both regulatory authorities and funding bodies to act. The organisations are also encouraging the public to contact Animal Welfare Victoria to press for accountability.
Alliance for HOPE International, a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence, joined the appeal, stressing the inappropriateness of using such violent methods in research under the guise of studying domestic abuse.
PETA continues to campaign against animal experimentation and advocates for non-animal testing methods, reiterating that animals like rats are intelligent, social beings capable of forming bonds and expressing affection.
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