Shocking levels of animal suffering found at European Laboratory
Undercover video footage reveals terrible plight of animals at Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Our investigation with SOKO Tierschutz at Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology (LPT) in Germany has found shocking levels of animal suffering that we believe breach European and German animal testing laws.
Graphic undercover footage of dogs left bleeding and dying and monkeys routinely abused has lifted the lid of secrecy on regulatory safety testing and revealed the cruelty caused to animals.
LPT is a family-owned contract testing laboratory carrying out toxicity testing for pharmaceutical, industrial and agrochemical companies from all over the world in order to meet the requirements of governments and regulatory authorities.
Key findings
The findings from this investigation at the LPT Mienenbüttel site, where monkeys, cats, dogs and rabbits are used, show beyond doubt that using animals in this way is deeply inhumane. Amongst other things, our findings show dogs left to suffer when it was clear that they were very ill and even dying, dogs kept in barren housing, monkeys wrenched from their cages and restrained in barbaric devices, gratuitous cruelty and lack of overnight care.
Michelle Thew, Chief Executive of Cruelty Free International stated: “Our investigation has uncovered appalling animal suffering, inadequate care, poor practices and breaches of European and German law. We are calling for the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology (LPT) to be closed. We are also calling for a comprehensive review into the use of animals in regulatory toxicity testing in Europe, including the UK. Every investigation, without fail, shows a similar tale of misery and disregard of the law.
Every year, animals across Europe are deliberately poisoned in regulatory toxicity tests that can cause them terrible suffering. The evidence from our investigation has lifted the lid on the secrecy that continues to surround the use of animals in these cruel and outdated tests. The graphic footage—beagles left bleeding and dying and monkeys severely distressed and mistreated—illustrates just how appalling their suffering is.”
WARNING video contains footage that some viewers may find upsetting
Responding to the findings, Dr Jane Goodhall DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace, has said that the footage shows “some of the worst abuse I’ve ever seen on testing with animals”.
Dr Goodall went on to say: “In summary, what I have seen in this video is some of the most callous, inhumane and brutal behaviour by humans towards the primates, dogs and cats kept at this laboratory. It is nothing but living hell. Such a situation does not belong in the 21st century and must be stopped. No more invasive biomedical testing should be performed on sentient and complex animals like primates, dogs and cats. Even rats have been proved highly intelligent and capable of feeling fear and pain. Animals can’t talk for themselves, so we need to be their voices and bring their plight out into the daylight.”
Warning! Contains graphic images that some viewers may find upsetting.
What happened next
Police immediately raided the Mienenbüttel site. Two other LPT sites in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein were also investigated after a search warrant was issued by the district court.
In January 2020 local authorities inspected the Mienenbüttel site, and revoked its operating licence. The facility decided to close in February 2020 and all remaining animals were removed. Sadly, none were removed to loving homes but were returned to the breeders.
LPT’s headquarters in Neugraben (Hamburg) also had its operating license withdrawn, following allegations of fabrication of test results.
A Change.org petition reached over 1 million signatures in a matter of weeks.
Companies using LPT expressed their disgust publicly and withdrew their contracts.
Sadly, in the summer of 2020 we heard that LPT’s Neugraben site has now been allowed to resume operations following a ruling from a Hamburg court.
The Mienenbüttel site remains closed and there are reports that it may become a site for the rehabilitation of rescue animals or become an in vitro facility. LPT have rebranded as Provivo BioSciences.
We are yet to see the results of the criminal case or the report from the authorities.
