RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia’s Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs says the Commonwealth does not support using dogs for medical research.
Last week, Veteran Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie announced that he will re-authorize the use of dogs for medical research despite public criticism, protests and even state and federal legislation aimed at halting the controversial research.
Speaking at a Veterans Town Hall Tuesday night in Salem, Virginia’s Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, Carlos Hopkins, said the Commonwealth’s stance on testing dogs does not align with Wilkie’s vision.
“I read the story on it and I understand the VA is looking into that,” Hopkins said. “That’s certainly not something that we’re supporting here in Virginia, but I will leave that to the federal authorities to address.”
8News has been reporting on these invasive, and often fatal experiments and the calls for them to end for over a year.
As part of the research into heart disease, the dogs are surgically implanted with pacemakers and put on treadmills to test cardiac function. They’re forced to run until they collapse.
8News previously reported that McGuire VA Medical Center in South Richmond was continuing to purchase dogs to use for medical research. With legislation implemented that prevented the use of taxpayer money to fund these experiments, many wondered how the studies were approved.
8News unveiled a loophole that allowed these experiments to continue as long as direct approval was handed down from the VA secretary.
Last Friday, Secretary Wilkie made his stance clear, saying he believed the testing helps advance medical research for veterans and that he will re-authorize dog experimentation.
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