Vet School's lack of disclosure a problem

I urge the Tufts Community to look more closely at the recent controversy concerning the needless slaughter of dogs on their campus. The article ("Grafton campus community deals with aftermath of controversial animal deaths" Feb. 9) does not adequately address the urgency of this frightening matter. What it fails to account for is simply Tufts' disturbing lack of disclosure to you, their students.

Whether or not you agree with the experiments ethically is of course up to you. But how are you expected to make such a decision when the University, which incidentally prides itself on "love for animals" and "veterinary ethics," conceals its procedures from you? If the investigators had faith in their research and believed that theirs was not a gruesome project, why did they hide and ultimately cower from public acknowledgement

Tufts Veterinary School is clear about the fact that these dogs were treated as humanely as possible. Personally, I would at once agree with their intentions and condemn what actually happened. I am inclined to think that pumping dogs full of pain medication to ease their anguish after having bones deliberately broken, only to destroy them in the end falls somewhere into the realm of needless suffering.

Perhaps I am wrong and you disagree with me. But I am sure we can all agree that productive discussions will never occur as long as Tufts upholds its dishonorable silence.

I encourage you to speak to experts, call the Vet school, ask why these animals needed to die. But please don't stop there. Speak with the students involved, engage with your parents, friends and professors about this issue. Be aware that those you may trust for objective facts will unintentionally lie to and mislead you.

I am not asking for a miracle: an end to all unnecessary animal suffering. I merely would like to see an institution that prides itself on being the benchmark in ethical veterinary medicine stand up to its promise.



Alexandra Singer

G '03