University labs have become the new battleground for animal rights activists, as a fresh analysis reveals close to 80 greyhounds were used in published Australian research over the past two years.
And analysts believe the total number of dogs used in all research (published or otherwise) is likely to be much higher.
As the Victorian government introduces reforms in the controversial greyhound racing industry, with Racing Minister Martin Pakula this week signalling new races for "older, slower dogs", animal rights activists are calling on policymakers to investigate the welfare of animals in university labs.
According to Humane Research Australia, 78 greyhounds were used in Australian experiments published in 2015 and 2016. However, the total number of dogs (including greyhounds) used in laboratories would be much higher, with government figures for 2014 revealing 6613 dogs were used in experiments and testing. (Figures for 2015-16 are not available.)
The Humane Research Australia analysis revealed greyhounds have been used as guinea pigs for racing drugs, have had their hearts removed and then reinserted while they were still alive, and had their gums peeled off and teeth pulled out, all before receiving a lethal injection.
In a Murdoch University study published this year, seven male greyhound dogs had their blood drained for 60 minutes to trigger a haemorrhage and induce a kidney disorder, as part of a study documenting changes in urine after a kidney injury. The dogs had their kidneys removed after the experiment, and were killed with a heavy dose of Nembutal.
Animal rights activists fear universities have developed a "dependence" on the greyhound racing industry, and have called on the government to increase transparency around the conditions animals are kept in at university labs, and how they are treated during and after experiments.
"These animals have been subject to the cruelty of the racing industry and are now being exploited by another group," Humane Research Australia's chief executive Helen Marston said.
It comes as Racing Minister Martin Pakula said this week that Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) was considering racing slower and older dogs.
"GRV is looking at all sorts of ways the lives of racing greyhounds can be extended and one of the things GRV is working on actively is about more races for older and slower dogs," he said.
Greyhounds Australasia said up to 17,000 healthy dogs were discarded each year from the industry, which has been rocked by scandals of live baiting and mass killings.
The Victorian government has launched a new draft policy on animal welfare for 2016-2021, and says animal welfare practices in research and testing is on the agenda.
Dr Brett Lidbury, a medical researcher specialising in chronic diseases at the Australian National University, said if the government was serious about change, it would follow best practice overseas and offer financial incentives for advancements in research that do not use animals.
"There are people who are fixated on animal models, but there are also researchers who would consider other models but are trapped by the current system," he said.
Alexandra Sedgwick, who founded Cruelty Free Labs Australia, a student-led organisation against animal research in Victoria, said there was increased support among science, medical and veterinary students for research that did not use animals.
"Students are regularly contacting us with stories of being humiliated or singled out for standing up for animals in their labs," she said.
A Murdoch University spokesman confirmed that some greyhounds supplied to the university were from the racing industry.
"Murdoch University fosters leading standards in animal welfare, and is committed to the ethical care and use of animals for scientific purposes," the spokesman said.
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