Medical institution in London, Ontario, to discontinue canine-focused scientific investigations due to community-wide protests
St. Joseph's Health Care London Halts Use of Dogs in Medical Research
In a significant move, St. Joseph's Health Care London has announced it will stop using dogs in medical research. This decision comes in the wake of a report by the Investigative Journalism Bureau that accused the hospital's Lawson Research Institute of using and killing puppies for human heart research.
The report, which detailed the alleged mistreatment of dogs, sparked a wave of criticism. Premier Doug Ford called the situation "cruel" and "unacceptable behavior," and announced his intention to legislate a ban on the use of dogs and cats for medical testing.
Andrew Fenten, an animal-bioethicist and professor at Dalhousie University, has been at the forefront of the criticism. Fenten, who is a member of the board of directors for the Beagle Alliance, an advocacy and rescue organization that works to rehabilitate and rehome animals used in research, has been calling for more regulation and oversight over animal testing in Canada.
Fenten argues that there is a duty for researchers to provide better care to dogs used in research, as they cannot consent to the procedures. He also notes that the Canadian Council for Animal Care (CCAC), while providing guidelines, is not overseen by the government and does not have the ability to regulate or oversee animal testing in Canada.
The hospital's statement mentions their values of respect, excellence, and compassion in animal care and research. However, Fenten states that CCAC certification would not have protected the dogs involved in the St. Joseph's Hospital research, as the Lawson Research Institute is listed as certified on the CCAC website.
In Canada, animal testing is regulated primarily under federal legislation, with a recent focus on reducing, refining, or replacing vertebrate animal testing, particularly in chemical and environmental risk assessments. In Ontario, animal testing is subject to both federal guidelines and provincial oversight, with enforcement mechanisms in place through various agencies.
The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) is a key federal law that governs chemical safety assessments involving animal testing. Enforcement and compliance for animal testing under CEPA and related statutes are overseen by Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, which guide risk assessments and chemical management activities.
For animal disease and health-related issues (which may involve animal testing in disease management), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is the lead federal authority, enforcing the Health of Animals Act and coordinating with provincial authorities.
Although the federal government sets broad regulatory frameworks, Ontario enforces stricter ethical standards for animal testing within its jurisdiction. Provincial authorities in Ontario implement additional rules aligned with ethical standards for animals used in research, testing, and teaching, typically via Animal Care Committees (ACC) or institutional Animal Use Committees, which follow principles like the CCAC guidelines, ensuring compliance with federal and provincial laws.
Enforcement in Ontario involves provincial ministries responsible for agriculture, health, and environment, which monitor compliance, investigate complaints, and can impose penalties for violations. Local and regional health and animal health officers may also play roles in monitoring any animal testing or handling related to public health and disease control.
Ford has directed his team to investigate all cases of animal testing on dogs or cats. The Government of Ontario is an important partner in St. Joseph's work, and they have consulted with the province to cease research studies involving dogs.
[1] Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), Government of Canada, https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-15.3/ [2] Ontario Enforces Stricter Ethical Standards for Animal Testing, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, https://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/animal/animal-welfare/animal-welfare-research-testing.htm [3] Replace, Reduce or Refine Vertebrate Animal Testing, Health Canada, https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/animal-welfare/replace-reduce-refine-vertebrate-animal-testing.html [4] Health of Animals Act, Government of Canada, https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/H-6/ [5] Strategy to Replace, Reduce or Refine Vertebrate Animal Testing, Health Canada, https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/animal-welfare/replace-reduce-refine-vertebrate-animal-testing/strategy.html
- [Investigative journalism] by the Investigative Journalism Bureau uncovered the use and mistreatment of dogs by St. Joseph's Health Care London's Lawson Research Institute for human heart research, triggering public outcry and [political] action.
- [Health] and [wellness] advocates, like animal-bioethicist Andrew Fenten, have long [called] for more regulation and oversight over [medical-conditions] research involving animals, citing the lack of consent by animals and inadequate guidelines.
- The Canadian Council for Animal Care (CCAC) provides guidelines for animal testing, but it is not overseen by the government and lacks the power to enforce or regulate animal testing in Canada, raising concerns about [science] and [ethics] in animal research.
