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Posted on 01/02/2004 2:30:19 PM PST by Holly_P
A Tufts University veterinary school student who cried foul about a canine research study found the school's dog-walking program abruptly shut down yesterday, apparently over concerns about animal-rights activists.
The Grafton campus has been on a heightened state of alert since Dana Zenko and Tara Turner protested a research program in which several dogs are due to be killed so that intentional bone breaks can be studied as part of an effort to improve the treatment of fractures.
Yesterday, Zenko and Turner went to the school to walk several dogs that are kept there to help students learn ``non-invasive'' veterinary clinical skills such as physical exams. Zenko said they were scheduled to walk the dogs, but were turned away by a security guard who told them the program was discontinued.
Tufts spokeswoman Peggy Hayes said the program is not discontinued, but has been suspended ``while the school evaluates the security of personnel, animals and faculty.'' Hayes said school officials will talk about the program with students. She was unable to discuss whether Zenko and Turner will face any restrictions or discipline for speaking out publicly, but added Tufts considers academic freedom and free speech ``paramount'' issues.
Zenko said a message from the administration Wednesday told students to be watchful and report people who don't belong on campus, and to wear their student badges. She said she considers heightened security reasonable when there is publicity about the treatment of animals there. But she is angry that students are not being allowed to walk dogs.
``I'm absolutely furious. I feel like we're being punished and a lot of other people are being punished,'' Zenko said, adding that she is concerned she might face repercussions for speaking out.
Don't worry, Sweetie, only conservatives face repercussions for speaking out, because only Liberals are nasty and vindictive to people who say things they don't like.
With the likes of Ed Asner and Susan Sarandon running around, there is no excuse for using dogs in these experiments.
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I don't get offended if you want to be removed.
The APHIS Act of 1966 covers any animals in research and there are strict guidelines on what is and isn't humane. These students seem to know what is best for the research...I guess the tail is wagging the dog at Tufts.
Translated: that means that if I am too stupid to pass the exams given me, I will blame it on the Professors' prejudice and get lawyers to embarrass and sue the University. I can now do anything I want with impunity.
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