No more torture

Re “Virginia dog breeding facility can sell some dogs, must stop breeding, judge rules” (June 20): U.S. District Judge Norman Moon recently decided to allow Envigo, a Virginia beagle breeding research facility, to resume selling some dogs for biomedical research purposes. This judge’s decision is simply crazy.

He “believes” “that the public interest would be better served by allowing Defendant to fulfill its contracts.” What are the “public interests”? What about the dog’s welfare? Dogs are companion animals subject to the same emotions humans experience including pain and fear.

Does the public care if these previous contracts are fulfilled? I am sure most people, like me, see this judge’s decision to be callous and non-caring for the welfare of these dogs. Let these dogs finally enjoy having a loving home instead of feeling constant fear, deprivation of love, and neglect. I can’t believe why these dogs can’t be put up for adoption instead of having them go through more inhumane and torturous treatment at the hands of these so called “research facilities.” Haven’t these dogs suffered enough? For those who have a preference for a breed of dog, think of that breed, and if you knew your favorite dog breed was in facilities like this being subject to these experiments, how would you react to this judge’s decision?

Mahatma Gandhi said it well, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” I hope People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the prosecutors continue to fight this judge’s insane decision. I wonder if he has a dog of his own.