Animal Welfare Group Sues A&M For Withholding Lab Dog Records

Sergeant Martin Palmer chose his beagle, which was being experimented upon by researchers at Texas A&M, because they shared the same birthday.

The only other thing Palmer knows, from the scant information obtained by a rescue group called Beagle Freedom Project, which works with labs to find homes for retired lab dogs, is the dog's ID number: 30393. He doesn't even know if the dog is still alive. Now the Beagle Freedom Project and Palmer are suing A&M, on behalf of dozens of others who are seeking similar information from the school, for the dog's veterinary care records.

In order to get information about how laboratory dogs like 30393 are cared for by public research institutions — mostly universities — the Beagle Freedom Project initiated its Identity Campaign, in which volunteers virtually "adopt" dogs and cats from a master list and then submit requests for information about the animal's daily care logs, health records, treatment and progress reports, and other basic data.

Most universities have produced records. Texas A&M has not, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says the school doesn't have to, because the information is protected by veterinarian-client privilege.

http://www.houstonpress.com/news/animal-welfare-group-sues-aandm-for-withholding-lab-dog-records-7691214