Animals neglected in laboratories

From undercover investigations and reading between the lines of scientific papers, we know a little of the torment which animals endure in laboratories. Another source which gives us a ‘snapshot’ of the neglect and haphazard treatment they suffer from, is the ASRU annual report. Published annually, it outlines how many inspectors there are visiting laboratories and approving licences to conduct animal experiments. The report also lists the incidents of ‘non-compliance’ which are known about. In 2023, on average, there were more than three a week. We believe this is very likely to be only the tip of the iceberg and, even if it is not, one animal being left to drown in their cage or to starve to death is one too many.

These cases, numerous each year, never end in prosecution or a prison sentence, but a ‘letter of reprimand’, possibly ‘retraining’ and sometimes someone might have their licence revoked! The 2023 report describes incidents, including ‘failure to provide adequate care’, ‘failure to provide food / water’ and failure to comply with the ‘authorities’ of the licence for the project of work.

Here are just a few of the 169 ‘non-compliance’ cases:

• Two dogs reached the ‘humane endpoint’ of their use – this is when it is deemed that the animal’s suffering is too much and they should be killed. However, in this case, ‘Appropriate action was not taken’. The consequence – ‘Inspector advice’
• Five mice were found in ‘dirty cages after cleaning, without food and water’. The consequence – ‘Letter of reprimand’
• Three mice were found missing from their cage. It was thought they might ‘have entered the waste disposal process’! The consequence – ‘Letter of reprimand’
• Eleven primates – adults and infants were ‘left outside in external pens overnight without food and water’. The consequence – ‘Inspector advice’
• 18 fish were ‘found dead, most likely due to contamination of system water with bleach’. The consequence – ‘Inspector advice’
• ‘Processes were not followed, leading to the deaths of 20 mice in an overcrowded transport box’. The consequence – ‘Letter of reprimand’
• A mouse was ‘euthanised due to unexpected adverse effects following blood sampling, which had not been performed competently’. The consequence – ‘Inspector advice’
• An animal was without food and water for approximately 45 hours, having been inadvertently placed in a waste bin’ . They were euthanised ‘due to welfare concerns’. The consequence – ‘Letter of reprimand x 2’
• 3 mice were ‘left within imaging equipment without food, water and appropriate housing’ for around THREE DAYS. They were euthanised. The consequence – ‘Letter of reprimand’
• ‘Daily checks did not detect the presence of a litter of animals until they were adults’. The consequence – ‘Inspector advice’
• 4 mice were ‘without food for 4 days; I died, the other 3 were euthanised’. The consequence – ‘Letter of reprimand’

We know that data from animals cannot be reliably translated to humans, which makes their suffering and deaths even more scandalous. The government has pledged to ‘phase out animal testing’ and this should be enacted immediately. Last year we drafted a roadmap, which has simple, attainable steps to ensure we have a life science sector which is not built on a basis of bad science and harm to animals.