Iams Abusing Dogs And Cats, Says PETA Investigator
For Immediate Release:
1 April 2003
Contact:
Dawn Carr 020 7357 9229, ext. 224
Dayton, Ohio – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has just revealed the results of its nine-month investigation into ‘nutritional’ tests conducted on dogs and cats by the Dayton, Ohio-based Iams Company, owned by Procter & Gamble (P&G).
Undercover video footage shows dogs inside an Iams contract laboratory suffering through painful surgical procedures as well as frightened dogs and cats kept in dark, barren cages.
In September 2001, Iams and P&G executives met with PETA to discuss consumer concern over lethal tests conducted by Iams and the poor quality of life afforded animals used in long-term testing. During PETA’s investigation at one Iams laboratory, at least 27 dogs were destroyed while others died of illnesses that went untreated despite assurances from Iams that the company’s new research policy specifically stated that no animal in any Iams test would ever be deliberately killed.
Iams also promised to improve standards for animal care in its laboratories by providing exercise, socialisation, resting beds, natural light and toys. Instead, PETA found horrific conditions:
Dogs and cats confined to small, barren cages, some for up to six years
Dogs’ vocal chords surgically cut out so that they couldn’t bark
Dogs with untreated ear infections, rotten teeth and injured paws from having to balance on metal slatted cage floors and lie on cold cement
Animals kept in cages without resting boards to get them off the damp cement
Animals hosed down with water during cage cleaning
Terrified, unsocialised animals cowering in their cages
Extreme heat and humidity in kennels during summer months and near-freezing temperatures in winter.
‘From Glasgow to Guildford, if you buy Iams, you’re supporting cruel experiments on dog and cats in the US’, said PETA Europe Director Dawn Carr. ‘PETA believes that no dogs and cats should suffer for Iams pet food.’
Broadcast-quality footage of animals in an Iams contract laboratory is available. For more information, visit PETAUK.org.