(JP) No more unwanted animals to be sent to labs in Chiba

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http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20020329a6.htm

 

Chiba dogs no longer have to look over their shoulder

 

By TETSUSHI KAJIMOTO

Staff writer

In a move that belatedly follows many other local

governments, Chiba Prefecture will ban the transfer of

abandoned animals to laboratories for experiments

beginning next week, it was learned Thursday.

 

The plan, to be introduced Monday, will be in line

with a revision of guidelines pertaining to the

transfer of dogs and cats in the temporary care of the

prefecture. The ban follows recent moves against

cruelty to animals.

 

" We have discussed the issue of banning the transfer

of abandoned animals for experiments at research

institutes for some time, from the standpoint of

preventing cruelty to animals, " said Jinya Kaseki, an

official of the prefecture's health guidance division.

 

Of the 47 prefectures and 47 major cities that have

hygiene centers, Chiba is one of about 30 local

governments that have continued the practice of

transferring abandoned animals to labs for

experiments.

 

The municipality has become a target of criticism from

local citizens for lagging behind its neighbors in the

Kanto region -- Tokyo, Kanagawa and Saitama

prefectures -- which have already banned the practice.

 

In fiscal 2000, 13 out of 25,400 abandoned dogs and

cats kept by the hygiene center in the prefecture were

transferred to two labs for experiments. In fiscal

1989, 5,831 dogs and cats were transferred. No

abandoned animals were handed over to labs during the

current fiscal year in Chiba.

 

But the practice is still widespread in the country,

with about 6,300 dogs and 1,200 cats transferred to

labs throughout the country for experiments during

fiscal 2000, according to an NGO.

 

The Japan Times: March 29, 2002

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