Wilmington-Based Company Largest State Facility Using Dogs for Testing, Report Says

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A CBS Boston investigative report on the use of dogs in animal testing has discovered many never see outside the labs in which they live.

Sorting through U.S. Department of Agriculture records, the team reported they found almost 1,300 dogs being used for research at 12 companies in Massachusetts, the largest being Charles River Labs in Wilmington.

According to the report, the Wilmington-based company has 750 dogs. The report says they reached out to several of these companies and institutions, but none would show them the conditions of how the animals live and none agreed to be interviewed on-camera.

Charles River Labs did send WBZ a statement saying dogs at their facility are “essential to life-saving treatments and that they exceed animal welfare standards.”

Charles River Laboratories specializes in pre-clinical and clinical laboratory services for the pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology industries, while also supplying biomedical products and research, as well as the development of outsourcing services for use in the pharmaceutical industry.

WBZ spoke to Alan Dittrich of the Massachusetts Society for Medical Research who told them the secrecy isn’t so much about how the animals are treated but more due to the “long campaign against animal research and animal researchers.” He told the station members of his group follow animal welfare rules in how they treat dogs and that they don’t live entire lives in cages and aren’t subjected to isolation.

Charles River Laboratories’ website outlines the company’s Humane Care Initiative which ensures the company continues as a “worldwide leader in the human care of laboratory animals.” It goes on to say:

“Laboratory animals are an important resource that furthers our knowledge of living systems and contributes to the discovery of life-saving drugs and procedures. At Charles River, we work hand-in-hand with the scientific community to understand how living conditions, handling procedures and stress play an important role in the quality and efficiency of research. As animal caregivers and researchers, we are responsible to our clients and the public for the health and well-being of the animals in our care.

The Humane Care Initiative is directed by our Animal Welfare and Training group, which consists of professionals committed to animal welfare and trained in laboratory animal medicine and science, training and ethics.”

Read the full CBS I-Team investigative report here >>>