The controversial practice of using live dogs for practice student surgeries and then euthanizing the canines will end beginning this fall at Michigan State University.
Animal rights groups hailed MSU's decision to join most of the nation's 28 vet schools that have stopped so-called terminal surgery. Mitch Goldsmith, an MSU junior and animal rights activist, said the practice is "needless cruelty."
Live dogs -- bought from breeders -- are anesthetized during surgery and when they are euthanized, officials said.
Bryden Stanley, professor of animal surgery, said using live dogs was "something that nobody really likes to do," but was necessary because "our primary responsibility is to train competent surgeons."
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Vet school spokeswoman Linda Chadderdon said the university used only "purpose bred" animals for surgical training, not dogs from pounds or former pets. Chadderdon said about 140 dogs died in the program last year. :wtf:
http://www.freep.com/article/20100305/NEWS06/3050378/1001/NEWS/MSU-to-end-lethal-dog-surgeriesGood call, MSU! :applause: