Press Release: Abuse & Secrecy at Charles River Labs in Mayo

NATIONAL ANIMAL RIGHTS ASSOCIATION PRESS RELEASE

"ABUSE AND SECRECY AT CHARLES RIVER ANIMAL LABORATORIES IN MAYO"

Contact spokesperson for N.A.R.A., Laura Broxson: 086 8729 444

N.A.R.A.'s Charles River Campaign Page: http://www.naracampaigns.org/charlesriver.html

"As a result of our 'Charles River Awareness Day' last week in Ballina - in which over 2000 of our special campaign leaflets were distributed - we have received a number of calls from people in the area giving us insider-information, and wanting to get involved with our campaign" says spokesperson for N.A.R.A., Laura Broxson

"Charles River's days of operating in secrecy are coming to an end, the people of Mayo want the truth - and, more importantly, want to help us stop the use of animals at these laboratories"

"The information we received came from reliable sources, but we are honouring our promise of complete confidentiality and anonymity by only revealing the information - which we hope will make more people comfortable with coming forward with what they know about these animal torture labs" she said

HERE IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT CHARLES RIVER LABS IN MAYO:

Species used in the Ballina Lab: mice, rats, cats, dogs, snakes, some horses - but in general, smaller animals.

Species used in Glenamoy Lab: cattle, horses - bigger animals in general.

Once mice and rats go under a certain weight, they are killed. They are supposed to be “humanely euthanized” but most of the time staff just break their necks.

Hundreds, possibly thousands, of cats are killed every year in clinical trials. The trials are repeated every 6 weeks with new cats. By the end of each trial, the cats are so weak and in so much pain, they can’t even stand up. They are then killed.

A lot of lost/stolen dogs and other animals end up in the Charles River laboratories. Apparently dog wardens are secretly responsible for this, and are being paid to do so. There was an incident in 2008/2009 in which a dog was taken, put in local pound, and then given to the Charles River lab in Ballina. The owner of the dog managed to discover this, and had to call the Gardai to help get the dog back.

Veterinarians run both labs, and are now directors. They receive huge payments from pharmaceutical companies for tests. This is one of the biggest kept secrets at Charles River.

Every tueday - blood is taken from horses, and then transported all around the country - particularly to hospitals. The purpose for this is currently unknown.

Secrecy inherent when it comes to working at Charles River - most staff are not allowed mix with eachother or know the details of what their colleagues' jobs entail.

Most of the activity (transport of animals, experiments etc) at both laboratories happen at night - the reason for this is for maximum secrecy.

"This is what has been going on at Charles River for the past 30 years - all behind closed doors. It's time they were exposed as the animal-abusing monsters they are. If all that information we were given came as a result of one 'Awareness Day' in Ballina, imagine how much more the campaign is going to grow over the next few months"

"Animal testing is unethical, unscientific, and we will not stop until it is completely abolished" Ms. Broxson added