Pigs shot to replicate injuries on battlefield

The Ministry of Defence shot 27 pigs last year to replicate battlefield injuries, new figures show.

The department has revealed details of the experiments it undertook on animals last year at its labs in Porton Down, Wiltshire. Twenty-seven pigs were shot in their hindquarters and had 30 per cent of their blood drained in an attempt to replicate the injuries sustained by troops. The pigs were anaesthetised before being shot with a bolt pistol and then scientists and medics tried to stem blood loss.

The MOD said all the pigs were humanely killed after the procedure.