Jan17
Purdue University Kills Dogs
Posted at 03:48 PM | Permalink
| 
Comments (68)
After receiving a frantic e-mail that was being circulated by a Purdue student who was desperate to find a home for one of the dogs used in her class, we dug up some extremely disturbing information about Purdue University’s Veterinary Technology Program. As part of this program, catheters are inserted into perfectly healthy dogs, who are killed following the experiment if students are unable to find homes for them.
According to the information we received, the students themselves are burdened with the task of finding homes for the animals used in these unnecessary procedures—and the penalty for failure is death for the dogs. "It became our responsibility to find all 10 of these dogs homes by the end of the semester or else they would be euthanized," wrote the student in her e-mail.
There’s so much wrong with this whole hideous program that it’s difficult to know where to begin, but the most obvious starting point is this: Vet-tech students can easily learn this stuff without hurting healthy animals—so how about making that the new SOP? We contacted Purdue this morning to make exactly that point, and ask the school to perform the procedures only on animals who are living in homes and who will receive a direct medical benefit from them, and to begin working with veterinarians in a clinical setting and with mannequins.
Or, as PETA’s Director of Research puts it,
"Purdue is exploiting these dogs and its students. Dogs aren't test tubes with tails. Holding the threat of death over students' heads is traumatic for the students, and it also means that the dogs could end up in unsuitable homes where they may face even more abuse and neglect."
You can read PETA’s letter to Purdue here.
TAGGED:
veterinary purdue technology
Comments
I am glad Peta sent a letter to hopefully stop this, and if the University refuses I hope that Peta will continue the pressure. This disturbing on so many levels for one it is a animal abusers favorite college course, and two it is treating animals as objects not living beings. I think programs that allow students to participate in placement of animals is a great idea, but not a system that takes dogs for this kind of use then burdens students with having to inflict pain on these animals then give them time limits to find placement or the end result is death. There are many other ways to teach students how to insert catheters without using perfectly health animals...
This is not teaching compassion or empathy in vets this message is more like do whatever you want as a vet in the name of money, and the worse that can happen is death. You would thing a program designed for future vets that will be responsible for caring for our animals in the future would have more respect for living creatures than this.
Posted by: Dana | January 17, 2008 05:40 PM
We talk and proudly boast about USA not being a third world nation, about being superior and much more educated and humanitarian than all or most nations yet I am speach less about what such a place or higher education and such a intelligent group of educator may them self need "education" in human compassionate behavior to "all' leaving animals alike.
Posted by: m e pinillos | January 17, 2008 06:37 PM
This is horrible! You would think a vet program would teach its students a little compassion but I guess not at Purdue.
Posted by: Becca | January 17, 2008 06:50 PM
It is a common practice in vet schools to take shelter pets whose time is up and use the animal for students to practice surgical procedures. All the animals are euthanized at the end of the procedure even if the students want to find the animal a home. The schools feel it is unethical to cause a problem and then make the pet live with the problem i.e. break a leg under anesthesia, fix the leg, and wake the pet up. when i was in vet school 7 years ago i was one of 4 who refused live surgeries and I was harrassed and told by the instuctors i would not be as competent a surgeon if i did not do live surgeries. Needless to say I am very competent. So sad. Many vet schools do live procedures and euthanize.
Posted by: Lisa | January 17, 2008 11:06 PM
It is a common practice in vet schools to take shelter pets whose time is up and use the animal for students to practice surgical procedures. All the animals are euthanized at the end of the procedure even if the students want to find the animal a home. The schools feel it is unethical to cause a problem and then make the pet live with the problem i.e. break a leg under anesthesia, fix the leg, and wake the pet up. when i was in vet school 7 years ago i was one of 4 who refused live surgeries and I was harrassed and told by the instuctors i would not be as competent a surgeon if i did not do live surgeries. Needless to say I am very competent. So sad. Many vet schools do live procedures and euthanize.
Posted by: Lisa | January 17, 2008 11:06 PM
HEY PERDUE-THE HUMAN RACE CALLED,THE ANSWER IS STILL NO !
Posted by: marie firicano | January 18, 2008 05:30 AM
Of course it is outrageously cruel and stupidly ignorant for a University to engage in animal cruelty such as this, but what amazes me are the students who cooperate and participate. Why don't they have the morals to refuse to engage in this barbarity?
Posted by: Romola | January 18, 2008 08:09 AM
This is so awful I am sick! I am composing my letter to Purdue now and I urge everyone else to draft a letter as well.....
Posted by: Karen | January 18, 2008 10:14 AM
I have to think the students themselves are also at least partly guilty in this instance--for past classes of students have allowed this abuse to go on. If students in previous classes had spoken up and refused to learn vet med by abusing animals, this would not still be happening. The students are paying for their educations, so of course they have a right as consumers to make a few demands for changes and upgrades. Just because someone tells you to participate in a program that will result in the death of healthy animals does not mean you have to do so quietly and meekly.
Posted by: Kelley | January 18, 2008 10:18 AM
I always dreamed of being a vetranarin as a child, but when I grew up I was horrified at all the cruelty thay the poor animals had to go thru.Those poor students were horrified and traumatized.Som example that big named colledge is setting.People who are able should march and protest as I would if I were capable.
Posted by: Jacqueline Giller | January 18, 2008 10:56 AM
It's up to the students to find homes, huh!! This is by no means THEIR responsibily!! How uncaring is this University and WHAT is this teaching the students? If this is for veterinary medicine why are they not using sick dogs like you said who have a family (or from a shelter that would be unable to get the care they need) who can voluntarily bring in their dog free of charge to work on and help. They can advertise this is a paper or word of mouth. Now that would be teaching empathy! Not slackness!!
Posted by: Carla | January 18, 2008 11:18 AM
This is a croc of shit. I wanted to attend Purdue for their Ag. classes. But to find out that they have been killing dogs all these years. Thats pitiful. I'm glad that I went to Kaplan College to become a Massage Therapist.
Posted by: Bobbie Province | January 18, 2008 02:22 PM
I was always an IU person so I never wanted to go to Perdue anyways, but I never had a reason for it, but now I will never set foot on that campus!!!
Posted by: Allison | January 18, 2008 03:47 PM
We have a veterinary school in Québec that provides medical attention to sick animal by students under supervision of qualified vets. Isn't that a better way to learn? Why create a problem to fix it after? On top of it, they get payment from animal owners to finance their activities. Purdue, wake up and smell the coffee!
Posted by: Hammer | January 18, 2008 04:44 PM
If you want to find ignorance, outdated techniques, and often sheer lunacy you can often find it in the American college and university system.
There are some real twisted people sitting on their tenured rears in these schools. Doing twisted, unnecessary things.
Including people that lobby for corporate animal abuse.
The veterinary trade in particular is an extremely outdated one.
Hopefully, the younger minds will move it into the current century.
Posted by: kelly | January 18, 2008 04:57 PM
Vet schools often use Class B dealers to obtain stolen pets.
And they also buy from breeders that breed dogs and cats specifically to torture in the schools and kill.
Beagles are often bred for this purpose.
Here's what you can do about the dealers that are stealing pets and more https://community.hsus.org/campaign/FED_2008_farmbill_amendments/e783egr17736mmk
Posted by: kelly | January 18, 2008 05:02 PM
Please act now to make sure important amendments are added to the Farm Bill which is on the table now. Sen. Akaka of Hawaii was the lead sponsor of the Pet Safety and Protection Act, which prohibits research facilities from purchasing animals from "Class B dealers" who traffic in family pets for research. Historically, Class B dealers have been notorious for various unsavory practices, such as acquiring dogs from free-to-good home ads under false pretenses, stealing pets and housing animals under inhumane conditions.
Sen. Akaka was successful in passing two amendments to an agriculture spending bill by voice vote in September, including Class B dealer issues, but both were unfortunately removed from the final bill in a conference committee. Please call or email your congressmen urging them to support ammendments protecting pets in the Farm Bill. Go to congress.org to locate contact information.
Posted by: Stephanie Hayes | January 18, 2008 05:43 PM
Please act now to make sure important amendments are added to the Farm Bill which is on the table now. Sen. Akaka of Hawaii was the lead sponsor of the Pet Safety and Protection Act, which prohibits research facilities from purchasing animals from "Class B dealers" who traffic in family pets for research. Historically, Class B dealers have been notorious for various unsavory practices, such as acquiring dogs from free-to-good home ads under false pretenses, stealing pets and housing animals under inhumane conditions.
Sen. Akaka was successful in passing two amendments to an agriculture spending bill by voice vote in September, including Class B dealer issues, but both were unfortunately removed from the final bill in a conference committee. Please call or email your congressmen urging them to support ammendments protecting pets in the Farm Bill. Go to congress.org to locate contact information.
Posted by: Stephanie Hayes | January 18, 2008 05:44 PM
Please act now to make sure important amendments are added to the Farm Bill which is on the table now. Sen. Akaka of Hawaii was the lead sponsor of the Pet Safety and Protection Act, which prohibits research facilities from purchasing animals from "Class B dealers" who traffic in family pets for research. Historically, Class B dealers have been notorious for various unsavory practices, such as acquiring dogs from free-to-good home ads under false pretenses, stealing pets and housing animals under inhumane conditions.
Sen. Akaka was successful in passing two amendments to an agriculture spending bill by voice vote in September, including Class B dealer issues, but both were unfortunately removed from the final bill in a conference committee. Please call or email your congressmen urging them to support amendments protecting pets in the Farm Bill. Go to congress.org to locate contact information.
Posted by: Stephanie Hayes | January 18, 2008 05:45 PM
This is just sickening. I don't even know what else to say. Sometimes I just sit here and cry, not that THAT helps.
Posted by: Susannah S | January 18, 2008 09:28 PM
this is in response to romola, for the same reason people would rather watch brain dead (football, wwf, ect) sports and NOT! brain sports like, autoracing, f1.com indycar.com flatrockspeedway.com, ect!.. also, siav.org mrmcmed.org pcrm.org
Posted by: indycar01 | January 18, 2008 10:53 PM
OMG, I am so SICK from reading what is going on at Perdue. I am a Veterinarian Technician, and never worked on Live, Breathing Feeling animals. It's hard to believe that this is able to go on, the words i could say would sure to be blocked out on this site. When i was in school we used mannequins, except of course for grooming etc. After being a veterinarian technician for many years i had looked at going back to school to become a Vet. When i soon realized the surgerys were live i turned around and walked out the door. I devote everyday of my life to any animal, I would give my own life to save any abused animal and these idiots take them as Heartless beings. I must say my next road trip will be to Perdue to protest with as many people possible. I will also not leave until these policys are changed and these beautiful animals are free and safe.
P Rotten
D> Day
U> U
E> Euthanize
Perdue You Make Me Sick!!!!
Posted by: Michelle Manchester | January 18, 2008 11:43 PM
ES ESTE PAIS DEL PRIMER MUNDO?
QUE CLASE DE ETICA PROFESIONAL ESTA ESTA UNIVERSIDAD ENSENANDO
BRAVO PETA POR FAVOR HAGAN EL FORMATO PARA FIRMARLO Y MANDARLO A LA UNIVERSIDAD, PORQUE MI INGLES NO ES MUY BUENO PERO MI RABIA NO TIENE BARRERAS DEL IDIOMA
Posted by: MARCIA H | January 19, 2008 01:00 AM
Is it time for all "Prisoners" (the animals) to be rescued and Perdue left in a state that no insurance company would want to even hear from them?
How can this go on in America. I am sickened to hear people in this country still torture animals! I wanted to be a vet., maybe the oldest to ever apply, but not only can't I pass the chemistry and math, I'd be a whistleblower the whole way. I had thought "Get in First; Confront Second". Unfortunately for the prisoners, I'm unable to help in that capcity. Lord God forgive me.
Posted by: junemarie | January 19, 2008 08:00 PM
Never heard of the place.
It's dispictable and disgraceful that a VET school--where they are supposed to be caring for and treating animals--are hurting and killing them. How backwards is that.
I'll send an email.
Amazing letter. I hope you hear back from them.
Posted by: K | January 19, 2008 10:51 PM
Susannah,
I'm with you.
What do you say.
I'm speechless.
I feel like I would like to shake some sense into someone.
If my daughter would have come home to tell us this was going on God help them.
What are the parents doing where the hell are they.
I know as parents, My husband and I would be raising their roof. What a way to screw up our youths minds and those poor pups
my God the dogs.
Stephanie,
You are right on, there needs to be more language in the farm bill. We are doing all we can by making calls.
Welcome to politics.
Animals are politics.
But we will keep fighting the good fight.
Sen. Craig got mad and stalled H.R503 and S.311.on the floor.
Piece of shit.
While the horses continue to die. Bastard no good bastard.
Peace!!!
Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter for Animals | January 19, 2008 11:28 PM
This is frustrating. Most colleges show a pride into helping animals out but somehow in Purdue they kill them? This makes me feel very horrible only because this was my future college now it's just a disgrace to animals and myself to go there.
Posted by: Christina | January 19, 2008 11:49 PM
I DO NOT think this is write, education shouldn't come with a life thats ended. If you need a home for some of the dogs please contact me, i'd be more than welcome!
Posted by: kristen | January 20, 2008 06:29 PM
none of y'all can spell either, it's Purdue, with a U!
Posted by: Anonymous | January 20, 2008 10:34 PM
you don't need my name and address, talk to me here, or are you afraid that my more educated opinion may devalidate your ignorant opinion?
Posted by: Anonymous | January 20, 2008 10:38 PM
I'm a Purdue grad (Nursing), and I definitely think you need to look at ALL the vet school atrocities that are committed--not just the ones at Purdue (which I agree can be pretty awful and barbaric and I don't condone it). At least they will permit students to find homes or adopt animals, like Lisa mentioned in this thread some schools don't even give the animals even that much of a chance. On the other hand, Purdue's vet school has an excellent vet hospital for large AND small animals that has provided excellent, cutting-edge care for the pets of MANY people I have known. If that care wasn't available, the animals would have either been subjected to a horrible death or an almost certain euthanasia.
Posted by: carieann | January 21, 2008 11:10 AM
Before you vilify Purdue, why don't you wait for the response from the school? Plus, from the post, it seems the information was obtained from one student email. Purdue is a large state school and does have a fantastic vet school and animal hospital that provides tremendous service. (Yes, I am a Purdue grad BTW) The lot of you are judging a school by the actions of one or two bad professors...not to mention incapable of spelling. I am 100% confident Purdue will investigate the matter and take appropriate actions if they deem the allegations to be true. For the poster who refuses to ever step foot on the campus, get a grip.
Posted by: Steve-o | January 21, 2008 12:22 PM
Anonymous: what do we have here: our famous cuck - or just a castrated semi-cuck?
Posted by: captain nemo | January 21, 2008 03:27 PM
This is awful! catheters are incredibly painful, my cat had one and he was not himself for days. Not only is this painful but there is an alternative. A previous vet of mine used gas to knock my cat out and "milked" his bladder. He is prone to crystals, but so are so many other previously stray male cats. Say NO to catheters an YES to milking as a pain free alternative.They have to knock them out for catheters anyways! So why not milk?
Posted by: Barbie | January 21, 2008 04:17 PM
I have written letters for Peta for years on behalf of animals rights and received your magazine always eager to see such a strong organization working unitedly for animal rights. I have been a vegetarian for the past 5 years and always defended Peta against those citing it as an extremist and outrageous organization. Howevever, I am also now a Purdue veterinary student and I my reaction is quite the opposite to what I have read by angered Peta readers. I have actually been very impressed at how Purdue has tried to make the research dogs lives as stimulating as possible. There is no lack of treats, toys, or students to walk the dogs. The dogs are walked twice a day which is more than most lab dogs. After the school year has ended, most dogs are easily adopted out by both students and students friends and family. In fact, I intend to adopt one of those hounds and give it one of the best homes that she can hope for. So I do not think that it is the least bit fair to harp on Purdue as being careless and uncompassionte. While it is nice that you keep on top of university practices, I can tell you (from an animal rights person on the inside) that the issue at Purdue has been blown way out of proportion from a simple email saying that the dogs would be put to sleep if they had no home. The only case i heard where that has happened was when there was a behavior issue that after repeated attempts was never able to be solved. This, of course, happens in veterinary clinics and shelters throughout the US. It is an issue that many people, including me, are working to change. Hopefully that change will one day occur.
Posted by: Kelly Castano | January 21, 2008 04:45 PM
Why would anyone agree to any type of research on animals when they are alive??? I dont care how old you are. Why do you think you are so much more importamt than any living thing. I will make sure to never listen about PURDE AGAIN. I am also so much gratified that the animals are left for dead or taken after they have been butchered, are so cared for by these so called students!
The only real way to find a cure is to test on a humane. They test on animals because they might think they are getting closser. However they do know they are so wrong. If they want a cure, test on a humane. Someone on death roww...
Posted by: Noreen Barrett | January 22, 2008 12:08 AM
I believe you treat vet schools unfairly. You automatically look at them like they are the devil incarnate and sink your teeth into them even when the facts are still quite unsubstanciated, and seem to be very one sided. May I remind you of your case against Auburn which proved a whole lot of nothing, except for the fact that some idiot was willing to throw away his career in veterinary medicine for a bunch of over zealous nuts. Carieann may I remind you that there are certain Medical institutions that are also believed to be involved in such terrible activities...One can't point the finger ONLY at the veterinary schools.
Posted by: ed | January 22, 2008 06:07 AM
anon, who asked for your name and address? And where is the educated opinion that INvalidates the ignorance.
Posted by: rojo | January 22, 2008 07:20 AM
i dont understand people. how could anyone kill a dog or test on them? and then people wonder why dogs attack people. they know people are awful and will kill over and over again. i dont blame dogs for attacking anymore people cause them to go crazy. i dont know how anyone could make a dog suffer or any animal. its terrible. i wish there was a way to make every bit of animal abuse stop.
Posted by: karla | January 22, 2008 02:27 PM
Noreen - your argument is about a good as your grammar. Not one place in that rant you call a valid argument did you make a point that is constructive. The reason you can't do experiments on death row inmates is because they are protected under the constitution. All humans, no matter what they have done, have unalienable rights.
Thank you Kelly Castano, I am a Indiana University Grad. Though I may not like Purdue on the basketball court or on the football field, I do respect Purdue as a great Indiana school. You hit the nail on the head pointing out how many of these PETA protestors jump to automatic conclusions as soon as they hear anything negative about a corporation, college or whatever entity has been accused of wrong doing. They then attack without mercy and with blind fury. Hear the facts people, make your arguement when you have heard both sides.
Posted by: Kurt K | January 22, 2008 03:14 PM
Kurt K: who attacks without mercy and with blind fury?
Posted by: octopus | January 22, 2008 05:45 PM
total horror!!!!!!!and they call themselves vets shame shame shame!!!!!!
Posted by: marjorie | January 22, 2008 06:14 PM
Our vet tech program had some pros and cons like this.
When our new head of program began teaching, he made sure that the dogs came from an animal shelter and many of them were older and unadoptable.
They would be trained by the students and faculty, and would be kept until a good home was found for them. They were often adopted by students but never euthanized if it took longer to find a home.
Same with the cats.
The bad part was that they did have to be practice for catheters. The really bad part was that other animals like rabbits, rats, mice, you name it, were kept in cages until they were destroyed or accidentally killed by students (no exaggeration).
Lots of room for improvement.
Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | January 22, 2008 07:29 PM
First of all how do you expect people to be able to save and care for animals if they are not presented with the opportunity to learn? Models are used for the activities they can be but not everything can be done in that manner.Secondly, people do not sign up for a career in veterinary medicine because they want to abuse animals! These students and the faculty at Purdue do their jobs because of their love of animals. No one wants to inflict unneccesary pain but it is part of the learning experience. Lastly, the animals used are not from shelters they are special to the program. The students who have to find these dogs homes work with them every single day and are the ones who know them best so they can best match them a home. I think it would be wise to think about who you are attacking in this situation. If your sole purpose is to better the treatment of animals I think you may need these people around!
Posted by: you dont need to know | January 22, 2008 08:02 PM
Kurt K: Both humans and animals have inherent rights that are not given by the Constitution (or any other law). It is morally wrong to experiment on animals to the same extent it would be morally wrong to experiment on humans. However, as you well know, without the protection of law, many humans would be subject to immoral abuses. So--the fact that the Constitution only codifies moral behavior regarding humans does not mean that animals have no rights. It just means that we have not yet chosen to codify them. They exist, even if we fail to recognize them, just as they existed for the Jews in Germany and the slaves in the US.
Posted by: Antigone1000 | January 22, 2008 09:42 PM
I'm with "you don't need to know"! This is ridiculus. Why should anyone listen to what you all have to say when you can't even spell simple words right or make complete sentences! Purdue University's Veterinary Teaching Program is one of the most accredited teaching programs in this country. How do you think we got there? By learning on computer programs? People who get into this profession do so because they want to learn how to help and care for animals, not because they like to poke them and torture them! You people are crazy! If you want to have people in the future who are qualified to treat and help your animals that you love so much, then you should probably stop attacking the institutions where they learn! If you are so worried about animals and their care then why didn't you become a vet or vet tech so you could actually help them? Oh, it probably has a little something to do with your spelling and grammer issues...
I think you need to get your facts straight before you start attacking people and programs that you really don't know anything about! I also think you all need to get a life!
Posted by: furious | January 23, 2008 11:25 AM
PURDUE ISNT TEACHING ANIMAL KINDNESS- PEOPLE SEND YOUR KEDS ELSEWHERE FOR VET SCHOOL AND URGE PURDUE TO CLOSE THEIRS! PIECES OF S---. I SAY FINE EM - PARENTS SHOULD BE OUTRAGES, THIS CAN LEAVE MARKS ON A KID, MUCH LESS THOSE POOR ANIMALS. EVEN A SHELTER WOULD HAVE BEEN A CHANCE -- PIGGSS!
Posted by: VICKIE | January 23, 2008 01:28 PM
Jack is right about one thing - and as others have said, people sign up for these degree programs because they love animals and don't mind earning spit wage because they want to help animnals. But just try and object to how the animals are treated, you just won't ever graduate until you do what they tell you.
I'm glad PETA is stepping in, and I'm also glad furious and you don't need to know are setting people straight.
Posted by: Maya, CVT | January 23, 2008 01:30 PM
HEY SEND PURDUE OVER TO CHINA, THEY'D FIT RIGHT IN! CHINA HAS FUR HOUSES, WHERE THEY SKIN DOGS AND CATS "ALIVE" AND THROW THEM IN A PILE WHILE THEIR THROATS ARE STILL CUT MOANING AND GROWNING! MAYBE THEY COULD PICK FROM THE PILE - KEEP BUYING FROM CHINA USA!
Posted by: VIC | January 23, 2008 01:52 PM
You know. Many of you don't know us. Many of you just heard about us for the first time. Are you quick to judge, I think so. We vets, should not be shamed by you. I feel personally attacked by all of you screaming "horrible, terrible, disgusting". Are any of you pet owners? Do you love your dog or cat? I love them too, and I want to help them. Please don't judge what we do by the light of one email. Understand that we owe everything to these animals and honor them accordingly. Put down your hate and anger. We are a profession dedicated to our animals and to their benefit. I am sad that we have communicated so poorly that people believe we torture animals. Relax, take time to understand us, don't point to us with accusing finger but look at us with inquisitive and understanding eyes. Lay down your anger and speak with a person you disagree with on this matter in a peaceful manner, we may end up understanding one another, this is my sincere wish.
Posted by: simple though | January 23, 2008 02:55 PM
I think PETA needs to look a little closer before they start throwing accusations. I am a student at PU right now and I perform some of these supposedly "cruel" procedures. These dogs have amazing care by all of the students and staff, and the only dogs that would ever be euthanized are the dogs that are not able to be placed in a home...i.e. globally fearful, aggressive, etc. We are in charge of finding the animals homes at the end of the semester because we have worked with the animals and cared for them. So who would be the best suited to find a home for them that is the right fit? We can talk with families searching for pets and tell them what environments, treats, animals, etc. our animals work well with. We can no longer use dogs from shelters or from homes DUE TO THE LAW, and the animals for live procedures are unhealthy animals that we are required to purchase from a USDA accredited site. There is no cruelty to animals at PU, the technology or veterinary programs. All animals are treated with the utmost care and treated as though they were our own. I can't believe that a simple catheter placement, on a dog that gets sedation during the procedure and analgesics after to make sure they are not in pain or stress, is considered cruel in your minds. Would you rather your animals be the first we are able to touch live? I agree with "Antigoni" that you should be careful who you attack if you want to actually proclaim you are for the prevention of cruelty to animals. It is easy to agree with someone when you only read one sentence, from an email of someone who read an email, from a student trying to find a home for a dog that was probably not able to be safely placed in a home due to some medical or behavioral problem? As I stated earlier, we find homes for the animals at the end of the semester, not because they will be euthanized, but because we care for them and want to see them off into loving homes. Even if an animal does not find a home due to a behavior issue they are typically used in the program a bit longer while we continue to search for a home. Trust me, any animals euthanized are done so with good reason. I have seen many "problem" animals in the program that I worried we would not be able to find homes for that found loving, forever homes. Are all of you offering to take these aggressive and globally fearful animals. Or would you take the animals with debilitating diseases? You all have a distorted image of what animal cruelty actually is. I am joining this profession to help animals, and I am NOT hurting animals to become a better professional. I don't see any of you lining up with your pets to let us learn....so quit being hypocrites.
And for the record...Dr. Bill is one of the best professors at Purdue, and anyone who actually knows him would have nothing but the utmost respect for all he does at this university. It would not be easy to euthanize any animals, even if it was necessary.
Posted by: Casspusvm | January 23, 2008 03:10 PM
Someone let me know when and where and I will march against Purdue!! Let's end this crap!
Posted by: Mark Ripley | January 23, 2008 03:19 PM
furious, Casspusvm, simple though: you should all go to a laundry and jump into the machines together with your clothes and maybe when you're again coming out you got a life!
Posted by: captain nemo | January 23, 2008 05:18 PM
I think some of you are over reacting. And sometimes, you have to put animals down. would you rather them suffer a bad life? If they didnt get put down, then they would probably either get sent to a shelter (where its worse) or get used for animal testing. So, I would rather have them killed then to live a bad life. PEDA is ridiculous!
Posted by: Lauren | January 23, 2008 05:55 PM
Hey Vickie, "kids" is spelled with an "i". Purdue's Vet program is one of the best in the country and they are doing nothing illegal, so good luck getting them to shut the program down. Arrogant, uneducated b***h!
Posted by: none of your business | January 23, 2008 07:00 PM
Purdue University does a lot more testing than that. I was a student in the forensic science department and we worked w/ blood and tissue samples. I remember doing a biology experiment on sheep's eyes that were extracted to show different stages of decomposition. There is a slaughter house in one of the buildings where animals are frequently brounght in and slaughtered for the agriculture department. I was traumatized after petting a small calf in the hall then passing through the building to find its crate next to the slaughter room. I had a class in that building for several semesters and would walk around it and the one that was conjoined to it so I would avoid the slaughter halls. One could smell the blood and several lecture halls in that building had a track on the ceiling that would allow the slaughter to be brought into the room fresh from the kill.
Posted by: Angela | January 24, 2008 09:56 AM
First of all, it's spelled PURDUE! Get it right. Second of all, the veterinary school here is committed to the best quality of teaching and learning. If you PETA folk really want to help animals, quit promoting hearsay and go to your local animal shelter where you CAN do some good. Pets are companion animals, not people. You all need to get off your computers and your butts and volunteer to help out with the rest of us!
Posted by: vetprofessional | January 24, 2008 02:25 PM
Angela
Horrible and sad!
Posted by: Ana | January 24, 2008 04:40 PM
Angela
Horrible and sad!
Posted by: Ana | January 24, 2008 04:41 PM
I have a lot of issues with PETA taking sides with this student before verifying the facts or looking at the overall picture. Every animal that comes through Purdue's small and large animal hospital is a teaching case. It doesn't matter if the animal is a stray or a very pampered pooch. Afterall, Purdue is a LEARNING institution.
Purdue always is looking for assistance in helping strays find a good home...but they don't put pressure on the students to find that forever home.
Tippecanoe county (which is where Purdue is located for all those unfamiliar with the area) is having major stray issues right now...the humane society is so overwhelmed that they are not accepting new animals. We also have lots of animals that were given up during the recent devastating floods.
Purdue's animal hospital has stepped up to the plate on many occassions to help save the lives of strays that had critical medical issues. Many of those animals now reside in foster care or have found permanent homes. They also spay and neuter animals for the humane society for next to nothing. Their behavior program has worked with many stray animals who had behavior problems so that they could be better candidates for adoption.
My own dog is a patient at Purdue's small animal hospital. I see first hand how wonderful the care has been for my dog and many other animals that come through those doors. The expertise of an orthopedic surgeon has allowed my dog to recover fully from a severe knee injury. With both of my dog's surgeries, vet students spent hours sitting on the floor with my dog icing her leg, making sure she had good pain control, and doing anything possible to make her happy (rubbing her ears and tummy). I received multiple calls to give me updates on her condition and many more follow up calls once she came home.
I feel so lucky and blessed to live down the street from one of the best veterinary schools. I would take either of my dogs there in a heartbeat.
Posted by: Holly | January 24, 2008 06:01 PM
Angela, interesting story, but it seems to be all about you and your traumas. Not everyone is as over-sensitive as you, and that you don't point out any wrongdoings is an indicator that the other comments in support of Purdue are accurate. That you had to detour on the way to class makes compelling reading.
Shock/horror that the ag and vet depts would actually study animals beyond the text book. The cheek of them demanding it be fresh.
Perhaps it would be easier for you to work on human eyes that were extracted to show different stages of decomposition. There should be enough dead bodies around.
Are you sure forensic science is really for you?
Posted by: rojo | January 24, 2008 09:32 PM
Dear Captain Nemo:
We are trying to construct educated and respectful arguments. Please don't fill these pages with personal insults and personal vent. Actually that goes to all of you who are insulting and calling names, both on the PETA and the vet side of things. Let's show that we are professionals. On behave of all the vets on here, I am sorry it has come to name calling and insults. If we want to understand each other, please, let's do it like adults!
Posted by: simple though | January 25, 2008 07:00 AM
Ok Captain nemo, your entry doesn't even make sense. Again with the incomplete sentences and horrible grammar...
And on the note about constructing educated and respectful arguments...we may be professionals, but the peta freaks are not, so I don't think attempting and educated argument with uneducated people will do much good. Sorry but all these peta people just need to get a life! Seriously!
Posted by: furious | January 28, 2008 01:09 PM
I have worked on and with these dogs, seen how they are treated and experimented with, it is sad. The only reason these dogs are bred is to be "practice" animals for students. I do not agree with it. The dogs are not needed. Sometimes a certain dog would be used over and over again just because it was a "good candidate" for the certain procedure that day. It's sad to know these dogs get treated like a machine or toy to poke and experiment with until you can do it right.
Posted by: Linda | February 1, 2008 10:57 PM
Purdue's practice is not as horrible as you make it sound. And focusing on just one school out of hundreds is very narrow-sighted. Still, when it comes to medical care, I would take a practitioner (especially a surgeon!!), be it human medicine or vet medicine, that had practice on living beings over simple simulations.
Posted by: Sarah A. | February 2, 2008 05:08 PM
Strange... there is no response from Purdue posted here. No follow-up information from PETA. I'm curious to see what Purdue wrote back. Seems like Purdue gave a valid reason for using live animals.
Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love animals and work for their well-being, but sometimes live animals are required for proper learning.
Posted by: Larissa | January 18, 2009 03:18 PM
My first beagle was taken from the Purdue campus so he wouldnt be killed. His name is Tiger and he is now 14 years old. I am so happy to have him and I find it horrible what they are doing to these dogs
Posted by: Katy | July 3, 2009 12:05 PM
Simply Deplorable! I am currently a veterinary technology student at another school, and I am appalled by Purdue's actions. As future technicians, and veterinarians it is our job to protect the animals and treat them in a humane and ethical fashion at all times, not to mention first and foremost do no harm. In this day and age there are plenty of great teaching tools one can use that do not require preforming unnecessary procedures on live animals. Many programs are already using such things as "Dummy" dogs that are designed to practice proper placement of trach tubes. I don't understand why Purdue would think it is ok to preform unnecessary potential painful or even life threatening procedures on a live animal
Posted by: ed | September 8, 2009 10:36 PM