Jun26
Goats Treated Like Garbage at Fort Lewis
Posted at 05:27 PM | Permalink
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Comments (68)
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The goats had been subjected to all sorts of horrific exercises, including having holes cut in their chests to relieve an induced massive buildup of pressure in their lungs, having their throats punctured, and having their ribs cracked open to expose their beating hearts, all before being injected with a chemical to induce cardiac arrest. Apparently, their vital signs weren't checked before they were chucked into trash bags like rotten produce.
PETA has been arguing for months that such trauma training exercises are in violation of Department of Defense (DOD) rules that bar the use of animals for training exercises if humane alternatives exist (which they do, in abundance). But even if the DOD isn't ready to cede that point, surely it can agree that suffocating animals in plastic bags is inexcusable.
Our whistleblower tells us that dozens more goats are slated to be used in trauma training exercises in the coming days and weeks, so we're wasting no time in demanding that the exercises be stopped immediately. Read our letter to Fort Lewis and then see our action alert on this topic here.
Posted by Alisa Mullins
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Comments
What person with any type of heart or soul could be so egregiously cruel to innocent and harmless goats !
Posted by: Brien Comerford | June 26, 2009 05:56 PM
It's nice to see our tax dollars at work. Absolutely disgusting...
Posted by: Mary Jones | June 26, 2009 06:11 PM
Apparently the brass supervising this neglected to double check the victims before they were bagged; nothing ever changes. One of the chief complaints of POW and concentration camp guards in every conflict is finding victims unlucky enough to still be alive when they were supposed to be dead. This will only stop when we no longer have wars.
Posted by: Rev. Meg Schramm | June 26, 2009 06:14 PM
This is cruel and needs to end. How would you like tis done to you. Animals feel fear and pain too. Do the right thing and end this.
Posted by: Joycey Berry | June 26, 2009 08:32 PM
I think it's really sad for the animals, and VERY sick that those people are so heartless, they can afflict that sort of pain upon something. Hopefully they come back as the animals they hurt and have to feel the same pain. those poor little babies.
Posted by: Tiera | June 26, 2009 09:29 PM
Outrageous! Shame on the military at Fort Lewis! Thank you Peta for your quick response to this reprehensible activity.
Posted by: lynda downie | June 26, 2009 10:12 PM
Truly, the enlisted soldiers are our mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters and brothers and friends. Factually, these beloved are not here for the mental suffering they must be forced to do or see. Furthermore, the abhorrent practices are those of the 19th Century. We as a society have furthered ourselves from such. The military is however, showing that they are all 'jarheads.' Beyond that, there is no excuse or justification from this, as we have the knowledge and power to seek alternative training methods.
Get with the program, get 'squared-away,' and become passionate.
Posted by: Steffani Magnus | June 26, 2009 11:20 PM
HOW AWFUL! Someone needs to stop these people at once.
Posted by: Gina | June 27, 2009 01:02 AM
Goats have evil eyes
Posted by: Willy | June 27, 2009 02:28 AM
Discussing your Jesus pics. I don't believe animals should be abused or mistreated or used for clothing. However in the bible it says we have domain over animals, in fact over all created things. That we are not to eat ONLY unclean animals. Most animals are here for us to eat. Say; farm animals. That's why God made them with protien.
Leviticus. 7:24-"Speak to the children of Israel, saying, These are the living things which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth."
Posted by: alw | June 27, 2009 02:53 AM
OMG, that's terrible. Poor goats!
Posted by: chelsea stuebner | June 27, 2009 12:40 PM
I really hate my state sometimes. *sighs*
Posted by: Karen | June 27, 2009 05:00 PM
It's very true! Fort Lewis is FORCING soliders to go through "goat training" even if they don't want to. Soilders are desprately trying to get out of this by going through their chain of command but no one listens. Please help, 80 goats died last week and 80 more will be dying this week
Posted by: A Concerned Solider | June 27, 2009 05:12 PM
When will governments wake up ans put an end to this cruelty. There seems to be no end to the lengths of cruelty that humans will go to. It makes me sick
Posted by: Cherida Hivale | June 27, 2009 05:48 PM
The military has also trauamtized whales, dolphins and other marine mammals with sonar and other destructive military aquatic devices.
Posted by: Brien Comerford | June 27, 2009 07:26 PM
My dad was in the military and was a Vietnam Veteran. He died in June 08 they believe from being exposed to Agent Orange. He never breathed correctly and lived in pain most of his life. The military has many secretes such as this, where they dont like to tell the truth about what goes on behind the scenes. Its a sad shame that our tax money is wasted on animal cruelty.
Posted by: Amy | June 27, 2009 08:21 PM
Thanks PETA for always being there for the animals. My government does not do the right thing--ever, it seems. But I can always count on PETA to speak for those who have been silenced.
Posted by: Debbie | June 27, 2009 08:58 PM
I was shocked to hear of this horrific news!!! My husband works at Fort Lewis! He doesn't work for the military but this is happening just 15 minutes away from us. I wish there was something I could do. I'm in complete shock!!! It's animal cruelty, which I thought was illegal in America. If something like this happens you would think that it would be taken care of immediately. What the hell, it's illegal!!! The military shouldn't be aloud to get away with this! No one should! There has to be help!! Please someone out there help!
Posted by: Amber Rose | June 28, 2009 03:22 AM
That's our tax dollars hard at work, everybody.
Posted by: Sarah | June 28, 2009 04:53 AM
When will the human race wake the f**k up??????
Posted by: carla | June 28, 2009 10:40 AM
Department of Defense,
With all due respect, I do understand that our military is required to go through trauma training. However, the barbaric acts going on by the Army in Fort Lewis is unacceptable and cruel There are goats being blugeonged for trauma training. They are being brutally killed and then disposed off, sometimes thrown away while still alive. This is a violation of DOD policies. Please enforce this rule and stop this violence immedialtey. Thank you in advance for you time. I hope the DOD will do the right thing.
Posted by: MARY KATHRYN FELTMAN | June 28, 2009 12:20 PM
How can people do this to living breathing creatures?? Horrible!!
Posted by: Cory | June 28, 2009 03:20 PM
alw
Wake up and smell the blood and see and hear the violnce.
Willy--The only thing evil is what is done to the goats who are harmless and innocent.
Posted by: AAG | June 28, 2009 07:26 PM
i'm so completely REVOLTED to know what is going on here. Animals are living and, hey, just 'cause they're goats it doesn't mean that they're not feeling pain. So what then- those cruel people wouldn't mind us cutting gaping holes in them, then throwing them away like trash. It's WRONG and if you ask me just totally heartless!!!!
Posted by: ellie | June 28, 2009 08:48 PM
Just to let everybody know. This practice is not limited to Ft. Lewis it a constant practice at virtually every military post. I am an army medic and there is no subsitute for working on a breathing creature. There is alternatives however it is not nearly as real or accurate. How dare all of you!!! How could you trade an animals life for that of one of your nations warriors?
Posted by: Shawn | June 28, 2009 10:35 PM
Shawn,
I know your training is limited to field stabilization, however, I assure you that there are alternatives that are far more accurate than utilizing a goat for trauma training, such as "Trauma Man." I have yet to see a goat as a patient in my office or ER.
Humane training is in no way "trading an animal's life for that of one of our nation's warriors." The use of a non-animal model will only provide a higher level of training and expertise.
On another note, those in the military (much like those in the medical community) are desensitized enough to the plight of suffering creatures. Why add to this misery?
Posted by: Derek, MD | June 29, 2009 10:30 AM
This list shows how out of date the military is in their training of trauma situations. This is a list of all the animal and non-animal based Advanced Trauma Life Support classes in the US (and Canada I think)...short story is 12 programs use animals, and 189 do not.
http://www.pcrm.org/resch/PDFs/6.15.09%20PCRM%20Survey%20of%20U.S.%20and%20Canadian%20ATLS%20Programs.pdf
Posted by: Derek, MD | June 29, 2009 02:36 PM
What does it mean that artificial targets don't compare to living ones?? That without seeing blood splashing from a harmless, terrified SOCIAL creature is actually more entertaining and educational for the troops? The fact that 12 training programs use animals and 189 don't goes in fact to show that animals are not really needed at all. We are not TRADING the glorious warriors' lives for those of animals here, we are saying that the warriors could show mercy by using different, NON-LIVING, NON-SUFFERING, NON-TERRIFIED moving targets to blow to pieces. I guess that wouldn't be as much fun for the very humane heroes you seem to be describing here, who don't even feel the need to end these creatures suffering but decide to bag them still alive and in agonizing pain into the rubbish.
Posted by: Barbara Perrin | June 29, 2009 04:17 PM
How is it when I take my dog to the vet I am counseled that I should authorize the vet to use the best available practice in pain management for my pet yet the Army seems to think any amount of pain is acceptable? Shouldn't the military follow the same basic level of care as a licesensed vet when operating on animals? You'd think if the trainees are intending to help people they could start by learning to treat animals sympathetically.
Posted by: Joanna | June 29, 2009 05:45 PM
I can't believe these monstrous things are happening! How could people have the heart (more like no heart) to do this?!
Posted by: Ciara Lanza | June 29, 2009 05:51 PM
This is so sad :*(
Posted by: Kelly | June 29, 2009 09:37 PM
@ SHAWN:
Just because non-human-bodied individuals are mentally and physically limited due to the bodies they were born with, which could have been you, that does not justify such evil to them. Or maybe the mentally or physically disabled humans and the poor and elderly and criminals and certain races should also be vivisected? Yes, for the good of the whole and for the good of the nation's warriors, certainly experimenting on such beings is justified, right? No.
So in this regard our nation's warriors are then no better then Al Qaeda and Nazis if this kind of absolute abomination is what they are to be made of. Our nations's warriors, you say, as if it is so great? Well then if it is so great it obviously should have no place for such an outrageous atrocity as this. Our military commits many atrocities on feeling beings, always has. Our whole nation commits a holocaust. They boil alive billions of feeling individuals. They have gas chambers and torture rooms and death camps for billions of feeling individuals who feel terror and agony. Yes, such a great nation, so much better than its enemies! No, the United States is hell on earth for billions of individuals who are tortured to death. The United States may as well be Nazi Germany or Al Qaeda to the billions of beings that it tortures to death, and that is factual.
Posted by: stoptorture | June 30, 2009 12:06 PM
What they do to these animals they should have done to them and there family, My husband spent 22 years in the Army, he would have done something about this.
Posted by: jeannie grundon | July 9, 2009 06:29 PM
Stoptorture,
There is a big difference with your logic and that of Shawns. Obviously I think you are totally wrong and I am offended that you could draw a comparison b/t the Nazis and Al Queda with the Men and Women serving our country. Mock anybody you want, but never mock the military. Especially when you sit behind you computer and night and type insults, while they are living day to day, putting their bodies and lives on the line so that others can live without fear and oppresion. The fact of the matter is the men and women in the armed forces are this country's best, you sir, are one of the worst for saying such things. You owe the military more than you will ever know.
Posted by: Kurt K | July 13, 2009 12:50 PM
God is found nowhere in their souls. Stan lives there.
Posted by: CAREN | July 13, 2009 07:29 PM
If Derek (MD) is correct regarding the utility of the 'Trauma Man' then using live animals should be phased out as soon as possible.
Otherwise Shawn is right. As a former veteran, I would never ever trade an animals life for that of a soldier. I have personally seen the pain of a parent/child destined to never see their loved one walk across their doorstep and I would trade any number of goats if it would prevent it from happening even once.
Posted by: john | July 14, 2009 01:50 AM
the military is not something that should be mocked? are you kidding me? if this is the way they are treating animals then they are a joke. i used to respect the men and women fighting for this country but as ive gotten older im seeing more and more that this country is full of lies and greedy politicians and the army kills innocent animals just to follow some stupid order made by someone who has probably never seen a live goat! i have rescued many animals from abuse and i can see it in their eyes that they have souls and that they too feel suffering and pain when they are injured or traumatized and that they feel love and joy when treated with respect and care. animals deserve better. and so do the people in this country. im ashamed of our army.
Posted by: Shian | August 19, 2009 03:37 PM
how on Earth could osomeone do this to a living,breathing, feeling creature?!?!?!this is horrific, barbaric, and morally wrong.
stupid tax dollars....
Posted by: Claire | August 19, 2009 07:00 PM
Certainly, if these types of programs weren't effective, they wouldn't exist. I'm not saying it's justified but working with a real living being changes that of working with a dummy. Real blood, real life, real trying. Sure, I don't agree with what's going on, but I can also see where they're coming from. I mean, hunters do worse all the time. Heck, and if you're not a vegetarian, then you have very little room to talk.
I'm a pacifist, and a vegetarian, but I also see where this type of instruction could be useful. Oppose it openly if you will, but at least consider the other side.
Posted by: Blake | August 19, 2009 07:56 PM
I talked with an Army Captain / Veterinarian who joined after learning about this ????? I know I don't understand it either. It's been happeing for some time now almost a year the army has already stated they would not stop these training exercises. By the way don't push to hard under the patriot act you could be arrested!
Posted by: StreetBloggers | August 20, 2009 11:13 AM
I would like to hear the other side of the story. It's easy to pass judgment when you hear only one slanted viewpoint. Is the reason for using goats instead of non-living training aides a result of cost? outdated policies? misinformation? Rather than spreading insults and judgements that only hamper dialog, we should be engaging military authorities in constructive suggests and alternatives.
Posted by: GIJoe | August 20, 2009 11:14 AM
O MY GAWD!!!! I have 4 pygmy goats and I couldn't imagine people doing such horrid acts! I agree with Amy... It's nice to see our (my parent's)tax$ going to good use!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Emily Farnsworth | August 20, 2009 11:21 AM
I was an Army SGT. stationed at Ft. Lewis in the 80's. I was called to an isolated area of the Fort to assist with Green Beret training. Turned out to be the "goat lab". I threw a fit (as best I could while surrounded by M-16 toting GI's). It was obvious I could not get out of the exercise, so since I was a nurse with OR experience I thought I could at least see that the goats were given morphine or under under proper anesthesia during their procedures. I also checked the vital signs of each deceased animal, who at that time were sent to be cremated. I know the military medics need good training, we're in 2 wars. But I know that there are dummy training aids that mimic the injury of a human. Blood doesn't need to be flying from a living creature to train our military. And I've heard from MANY returning medics, the goat lab taught them NOTHING about dealing with a fellow wounded soldier!
Posted by: Debbie Pope | August 20, 2009 02:11 PM
I am a member of PETA and my husband is a military physician. Although our physicians and medics need the best possible training to save HUMAN LIVES, there is no need to kill our ANIMALS FRIENDS, torture them, or otherwise act irresponsibly when there are so many other options- virtual labs, simulators,etc. Thank you PETA for speaking out about this!
Posted by: shelley | August 20, 2009 04:24 PM
Oh my gosh! I specifically remember about 2 Summers ago I was driving down 8th Ave in Fort Lewis and came across 4 large stuffed trash bags dumped on the side of the road. I pulled over to investigate and all of them were packed FULL of dead goats. Little ones and big ones. I cried my eyes out! When I got home I did report it to the local sherrifs dept. of unincorporated pierce county which in turn they sent someone out by the next morning and they were picked up. I am just sick knowing that our country is doing this. No wonder theres so much anger towards us. Total hypocrits.
Posted by: Amy | August 20, 2009 09:04 PM
They should use other soldiers in trauma training, not animals!! Oh well, I guess the insurgents in iraq and afghanistan will take care of it. "Stop torture" is right!
These guys are dumb robots, that's all... they are not people, they are sheeple.
Posted by: Robin | August 20, 2009 09:15 PM
SICK
Posted by: Hannah | August 20, 2009 10:17 PM
To Gina,
Where are you getting this nonsense, "Goats have evil eyes." The only animal that can do evil is man. Goats are harmless vegetarians. I can only wonder what is going on in your head.
Posted by: Mary Jane | August 21, 2009 01:48 AM
to be immune to sufffering and pain on animals ...makes the person more inhumane and unfit to be a soldier...by being barbaric it rubs off on them....please stop this dreadful cruelty
Posted by: mary usher | August 21, 2009 04:52 AM
'horrible, how are they training on live animals when the first step in a combat sit. is to slap a damn tourniquet on the patient and drive on. next step is to call a med vac. and then a doc (qualified personal whom went to school)
slaps a band aid on him and tells him to drink water and drive on....
F#c*ing Fobits.....
Posted by: 1rst MEF | August 21, 2009 06:56 AM
How do people become so sick that they cease to care about life or have the slightest bit of compassion for living creatures?
Posted by: Mark Howell | August 21, 2009 08:09 AM
My son is stationed at Fort Lewis and it makes me sick to think he may have to take part in such disgusting and unlawful behavior in order to protect our country!!! Someone NEEDS to step in!!!
Posted by: pam collins | August 21, 2009 03:37 PM
This is another example we live on a barbaric planet where the majority of people have souls lacking compassion and sensitivity for animals.
Beyond being revolted, the worst part of all is we as American Taxpayers are paying for this horrific abuse of animals.
This is nothing new though. All the militaries worldwide have always been and still are abusing animals every day especially in gruesome bio warfare experiments as well as this type of abuse in medical field training.
Prayers sent for all the animals suffering on this planet each and every day.
:(
Posted by: Kevin | August 22, 2009 01:49 AM
es una groseria hacer esto con victimas inocentes que sufren dolores inexplicables en sus pobres cuerpos no es nesesario exponer a animalitos inofensivos tal sangrienta y dolorosa muerte solo por insensibilisar a esos desgraciados soldados que si bien es cierto ya tienen el corazon podrido de maldades pero han olvidado lo mas importante y es que hasta de eso daran cuenta ante el trono de Dios porque el ha creado las personas y los animales y el es el unico que puede dar y quitar lavida a quien El quiera ,los animalitos se pueden comer pero hay que darles muerte digna ya sin dolor no como lo hacen este tipo de animales perdon peor que animales.
Posted by: jazmin esmeralda | August 22, 2009 11:46 AM
to the above poster who wrote "these guys are dumb robots"....maybe you should think twice about talking trash about the medics and doctors who provide life-saving services to the men and women who are needlessly sent to war and injured and killed all for our freedom. you may not agree with their treatment of animals for their practice of medical life saving techniques- but to personally attack the soldiers who have no choice in the manner in which they train is ignorant...maybe you should thank these people who give all for YOUR SAFETY instead of calling them mindless robots, especially when you are comfortable sitting in your home under the blanket of freedom that they provide.
Posted by: shelley | August 22, 2009 08:34 PM
And it's exactly this type of training that saves HUMAN lives in combat. So what do you suggest...that we conduct these exercises on humans? Wait, this is PETA...you sickos probably do think that. How about some of you line up for combat training and save a goat or two?
These men and women put their lives on the line for you every day. EVERY DAY. Your tax dollars are hard at work training the most advanced military in the world. Most of you wouldn't even qualify to enlist. You should get down on your knees and be thankful we have our military. Without them you wouldn't have the right to bitch and moan about what probably amounts to two sickly goats *this close* to dying anyway.
Honestly this disgusts me but what disgusts me more is PETA in general. You people all need help. I won't be back to check this because it's obvious what all of you have to say but I am entitled to my opinion as much as you are yours. I honestly doubt you'll even publish this because I speak the truth and truth is not something your organization handles well.
I support animal rights and am all for treating animals with dignity and respect. However PETA's sadistic scare tactics (i.e. giving little kids nightmares about slaughtered chickens) and reckless over dramatic antics make me a life long member of the anti-PETA club. And trust me, I'm not alone.
I am a damn proud Army wife and whatever it takes to bring all our HUMAN men & women home safe is ok in my book.
Posted by: Crystal | August 22, 2009 11:02 PM
think treating goats like that is right?why don't i treat you like a goat
Posted by: lol | August 23, 2009 04:39 AM
that was so disgusting!!!
I hope that the people who was practicing those cruelty should be put into jail...
Poor goats...
Posted by: zai | August 24, 2009 06:39 AM
it is amasing that us as humans take some living breathing thing with feelings and do such horrific things. it is beyond horrible. expecially for the goverment to be allowing it. what else is next. testing on us without our concent. they can all go to hell whoever is involved in my opion. i will show them the way.
Posted by: sabina | August 24, 2009 06:11 PM
Thank you PETA, for consistant &conscientious compassion & concern. You are the voice of all those who deeply abhor totally senseless & cruel treatment of innocent animals.
When will the MAJORITY be the voice of compassion & care? Not the inverse. You are shaking up in me the need to be heard & to stop being in the majority of the silent ones, burying heads in the sand because that is so much more convenient. Mary.Australia
Posted by: Mary van der Berg | August 24, 2009 11:03 PM
i am soo horrified at this. Not only Goats but ALL animals should be treated with respect. I will never buy a fur coat ever again in my life now that i have been exposed to these gruesome, gory videos! Its dispicable to think people just like you and me would have the heart to be this unthouughtful to animals.
Posted by: tawny | August 26, 2009 05:14 PM
I was absolutely shocked when I read this story. I live a matter of miles away from the base and had no idea. C'mon... Ft. Lewis have some respect. Any one who could and would hurt these goats and other animals would also violate the rights of people. Ft. Lewis you are a bunch of cowards...Shame on you
Posted by: Susan | August 26, 2009 08:48 PM
I was at my friends house and saw a schedule of where and when these trainings take place, I took the sheet, I want to report it .. does anyone know who I can go to?
Posted by: John | August 29, 2009 08:45 PM
I can deal with the overwhelming concern for animal rights. Don't get me wrong, I love animals too. But, for everyone who has posted on this blog..Please remember the real reason that these practices are being done. Soldiers are not left a choice to practice on these animals and with the opportunity to practice medical treatment on a life specie is an advantage. Just think, everyone visiting this website is directly or indirectly associated with a loved on in the military. Withought these Combat Medics thousands of more lives will have been lost. You need to think outside the box. Sure, there may be other ways to practice medical operations but think about it? You cannot go shoot a person for medical practice. And once a combat medic is trained, the Army does require them to work in a hospital to deal with live patients. But, without that prior experience with animals these soldiers would be incompetent. Please stop pointing fingers and acting disresepectful to those fighting for our country. Soldiers are not acting cruel and heartless, they are not enoying seeing animals being tortured but they are not left a choice.
Posted by: Kortnie | September 2, 2009 01:41 PM
Crystal, I think that its you that need help. not all of the sympathic PETA members. We CARE for all creatures, humans included, but someone has to be the voice of the poor animals that is being treated like a feelingless object. Animals are people to! Stop being such a narrowminded person and instead open your eyes to whats going on. Ever looked into the eyes of an animal? I think you would be surprised to see that they to have feelings and a soul.
Posted by: kristina | September 3, 2009 06:22 PM
I served in Fort Lewis as a Medic in the 90's and I trained at Fort Sam Houston as a medic. It makes me sick to have served for life and liberty for who? Certainly these animals were included in what I thought I was fighting for. It revolts my stomach to know that all that ARMY pride crap is nothing but a cover story. How can my country do this? I regret serving! That IS NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO! Life, liberty and justice for all, is a JOKE! SHAME ON YOU ARMY! I saved plenty of lives without this outrage b.s. training! if you can call it that!
Posted by: Christian Cardenas | September 8, 2009 09:27 PM
im praying that god will punish those people in military who do cruel things in animals hope they realise that those animals are our fellow creation.we have no rights to harm or kill them by any means
Posted by: jun ele | September 9, 2009 02:01 AM
Completely disgusting that this is allowed to take place. Don't worry people, the people reasponsible for this will get what is coming to them.
Posted by: John Sellers | October 5, 2009 07:52 AM