WARNING: This article contains content that may distress some readers.
A research laboratory in Germany is facing closure after an undercover activist and a raid of the facility discovered monkeys in metal harnesses and injured cats and dogs.
After performing a spot check of the LPT Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, located in Mienenbuttel on the outskirts of Hamburg, inspectors confirmed multiple allegations of abuse made against the facility by animal activists.
The animal testing lab has been shown to shackle macaque monkeys in metal harnesses, their heads locked in "barbaric" restraining braces. Other disturbing images released from inside the lab show a beagle bleeding profusely in squalid conditions and a cat locked in a cramped cage.
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"We found the cages were far too small, just as the activists claimed," said a spokesperson for the local regulation authority LAVES, according to the Daily Mail.
LAVES is currently investigating the possibility of revoking the research lab's animal testing license, meaning the facility would be closed immediately.
Charges have reportedly been filed with the public prosecutor in Luneburg for alleged violations against animal protection laws. A number of activists have also reported the case to police, who are investigating the allegations.
An undercover activist got a job at the facility between December 2018 and March 2018. He documented footage of the inhumane treatment, claiming the lab tested on beagles, monkeys, cats and rabbits. The footage was published by Soko Tierschutz, a German non-profit animal welfare organisation, and Cruelty Free International.
The activist claimed workers were not trained to handle animals and often treated them with violence.
Friedrich Mullen from Soko Tierschutz said the dogs were still wagging their tails when they were "taken to be killed".
"The dogs were desperate for human contact," he said, according to the Daily Mail.
The cats are said to be subjected to multiple injections daily by untrained staff, mishandled and left to suffer.
According to The Guardian, nine inspections have taken place at the facility since 2015, seven of which were unannounced. One visit took place on October 8 when evidence of the abuse was reported to authorities.
LPT is a contract-testing laboratory which performs toxicity testing for pharmaceutical, industrial and agrochemical companies worldwide in order to meet governmental and regulatory requirements.
"Toxicity testing involves poisoning animals to see how much of a chemical or drug it takes to cause serious harm, in an attempt to measure what a 'safe' dose is for humans," according to Cruelty Free International.
Animals are often forced to consume the substance to measure its effects, which can include vomiting, internal bleeding, respiratory distress, fever, skin problems, organ failure and death. Many animal testing labs do not provide pain relief or anaesthetics.
"Our investigation has uncovered appalling animal suffering, inadequate care, poor practices and breaches of European and German law," said Michelle Thew, chief executive of Cruelty Free International.
"We are calling for [LPT] to be closed."
The Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported last week that LPT claimed authorities had never objected to its "animal husbandry".
LPT's website claims it conducts its research "in accordance with national and international guidelines".
LPT has been contacted for comment.
Newshub.
