In laboratories across the United States, thousands of beagles endure painful experiments. The public rarely sees the suffering these animals face. But new legislation, known as the Preventing Animal Abuse and Waste Act of 2021 (PAAW Act), aims to change that.
Sponsored by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), this act seeks to prohibit federal funding for research that causes significant pain or distress to dogs and cats.
Animals endure excruciating experiments funded by taxpayer dollars.
The Dark Reality of Laboratory Experiments
Many people are unaware of the extent of government-funded animal testing. According to recent reports, over 62,000 dogs and cats are used in U.S. labs, with nearly 18,000 subjected to painful experiments annually. These tests often involve maximum pain without any relief, leaving the animals in severe distress, reports the Washington Examiner.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has been at the center of these controversial practices. Investigations by groups like the White Coat Waste Project (WCW) have shed light on the harrowing conditions faced by these animals. For instance, one report detailed how beagles were force-fed experimental drugs as part of a Pentagon-funded project aimed at FDA approval.
Thousands of dogs and cats face unimaginable suffering in labs.
The PAAW Act: A Legislative Response
The PAAW Act, introduced by Rep. Mace and supported by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, targets these inhumane practices. It aims to end federal funding for experiments classified under pain categories D and E by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These categories involve significant pain or distress that is not alleviated by anesthesia or other pain-relief methods, reports ABC News 4.
If passed, the PAAW Act would mandate detailed reporting by the NIAID. As Lady Freethinker reports, this includes the nature of ongoing experiments, the costs involved, and efforts to phase out such testing. This transparency is crucial for holding agencies accountable and ensuring taxpayer money is not wasted on cruel and outdated practices.
Transparency is crucial for holding agencies accountable.
Voices from the Front Lines
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), a co-sponsor of the bill, expressed his dismay at the use of taxpayer dollars for such experiments.
“As a dog owner, I’m appalled by the inhumane practices that have been conducted using taxpayer dollars. I’m happy to have worked across the aisle with Rep. Mace to choose paws over politics and put a stop to unnecessary government experiments on cats and dogs,” Moskowitz told the Washington Examiner.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), another supporter, highlighted the bill’s importance.
“Protecting animal welfare has always been a personal passion of mine, and it’s disheartening to know that taxpayers are footing a multi-billion-dollar bill for federal labs to conduct outdated and inhumane experiments on tens of thousands of dogs and cats every year,” she said.
Bipartisan support underscores the urgency of the issue.
Public Outcry and Advocacy
Public support for ending these experiments is strong. Justin Goodman, Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy at WCW, emphasized the widespread opposition to these practices to Lady Freethinker.
“These wasteful animal experiments are opposed by a supermajority of taxpayers, Republicans, Independents, and Democrats alike,” he noted.
Adam Parascandola of the Humane Society has also been vocal about the need to stop these experiments, Fox News reports. He highlighted the plight of 4,000 beagles bred for research, calling for their rescue and rehoming.
A Path Forward
The PAAW Act represents a critical step towards ending unnecessary and painful experiments on animals. By prohibiting federal funding for these practices, the bill seeks to protect vulnerable animals and promote humane research alternatives.
Lawmakers and advocates alike are hopeful that this legislation will bring about meaningful change.
Rep. Mace summed it up best: “The PAAW Act will ensure taxpayer money is not used to support outdated and cruel experiments on dogs”
Take action for animals subject to cruel experimentation. Click below and sign the petition to support the PAAW Act!
