US military to stop shooting pigs and goats as a way to train medics for the battlefield
The U.S. military will no longer shoot pigs and goats for medic trauma training. The change comes as part of the latest annual defense bill. Animal rights advocates and lawmakers have pushed for years to end the practice.
Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Florida Republican, led the effort to ban the use of live animals in these exercises. He described the move as a major step toward reducing unnecessary suffering in military training.
The decision follows long-standing criticism of using anaesthetised pigs and goats to simulate battlefield injuries. Critics argued that these animals did not properly prepare medics for treating wounded humans. Instead, they claimed, realistic human-like mannequins—especially those with cut suits that mimic moaning and writhing—offer better training.
Groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have celebrated the ban, estimating it will spare thousands of animals each year. The Defense Health Agency has also committed to replacing animal models with more advanced training scenarios. However, the military will still use animals in other training exercises. Practices such as stabbing, burning, and inflicting weapon wounds under anaesthesia will continue for now. The shift applies specifically to shooting live animals for trauma drills.
The ban marks a significant change in military medical training. Medics will now rely on high-fidelity simulators and mannequins to practice treating injuries. The Defense Department’s decision reflects growing pressure to modernise training while reducing harm to animals.
