Cats tormented and killed
at university lab
by PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - September 12, 2012
For decades, countless cats have been imprisoned, cut into, and killed in cruel and useless "sound localization" experiments at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW).
When PETA learned that UW experimenters took photographs to document this abuse, we demanded that the school release the photos. Knowing that the public would be outraged if the truth came out, UW fought to keep its cruelty a secret for more than three years, but a successful PETA lawsuit compelled the university to release the images. PETA has now obtained dozens of disturbing never-before-seen photographs showing the miserable life and death of a beautiful orange tabby cat named Double Trouble, who was tormented for months in these experiments.
According to records obtained by PETA, Double Trouble was subjected to several invasive surgeries on her eyes, ears, and brain. In the first operation, steel coils were implanted into her eyes and a stainless steel post was screwed into her skull so that her head could be immobilized during experiments. In the next surgery—which is depicted in the photographs—Double Trouble had holes drilled into her skull so that electrodes could be inserted in her brain. Experimenters then applied a toxic substance to her inner ears to deafen her and electrical implants were placed deep inside both of her ears.
When PETA learned that UW experimenters took photographs to document this abuse, we demanded that the school release the photos. Knowing that the public would be outraged if the truth came out, UW fought to keep its cruelty a secret for more than three years, but a successful PETA lawsuit compelled the university to release the images. PETA has now obtained dozens of disturbing never-before-seen photographs showing the miserable life and death of a beautiful orange tabby cat named Double Trouble, who was tormented for months in these experiments.
According to records obtained by PETA, Double Trouble was subjected to several invasive surgeries on her eyes, ears, and brain. In the first operation, steel coils were implanted into her eyes and a stainless steel post was screwed into her skull so that her head could be immobilized during experiments. In the next surgery—which is depicted in the photographs—Double Trouble had holes drilled into her skull so that electrodes could be inserted in her brain. Experimenters then applied a toxic substance to her inner ears to deafen her and electrical implants were placed deep inside both of her ears.
Records show that Double Trouble's anesthesia wore off during this surgery and she woke up to what was likely a painful and horrifying experience as experimenters were cutting into her head and skull. Another cat in the same laboratory also woke up in the middle of a similar surgery.
Following the surgeries, Double Trouble was subjected to experimental sessions in which her head was bolted in place and she was restrained in a nylon bag and forced to listen to sounds coming from different directions. Double Trouble was deprived of food for several days before these sessions in order to coerce her into cooperating in exchange for a morsel of food.
Double Trouble's health rapidly deteriorated. Records say that she was observed twitching, which the clinical notes indicate was a "neurological sign." Her face became partially paralyzed and the head wound that experimenters created during surgery also never healed. More than three months after her last surgery, the records describe her wound as "open, moist w/bloody purulent discharge, [with] moderate swelling."
An antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection resulted from Double Trouble's wound, but experimenters still forced her to endure almost two months of this misery. One of the last entries in Double Trouble's records states that she "appear[ed] … depressed." In the end, she was killed and decapitated so that experimenters could cut apart her brain.
Following the surgeries, Double Trouble was subjected to experimental sessions in which her head was bolted in place and she was restrained in a nylon bag and forced to listen to sounds coming from different directions. Double Trouble was deprived of food for several days before these sessions in order to coerce her into cooperating in exchange for a morsel of food.
Double Trouble's health rapidly deteriorated. Records say that she was observed twitching, which the clinical notes indicate was a "neurological sign." Her face became partially paralyzed and the head wound that experimenters created during surgery also never healed. More than three months after her last surgery, the records describe her wound as "open, moist w/bloody purulent discharge, [with] moderate swelling."
An antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection resulted from Double Trouble's wound, but experimenters still forced her to endure almost two months of this misery. One of the last entries in Double Trouble's records states that she "appear[ed] … depressed." In the end, she was killed and decapitated so that experimenters could cut apart her brain.
Photos of Double-Trouble at UW-Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison fought for more than three years to keep these photographs of Double Trouble's abuse a secret until a successful PETA lawsuit compelled the university to release the disturbing images. WARNING: The photographs that follow are graphic.
Double Trouble was subjected to several invasive surgeries on her eyes, ears, and brain.
Experimenters drilled a hole in Double Trouble's head and screwed this steel post to her skull.
Electrodes were inserted into her brain, and electrical devices were implanted deep into her ears.
Electrodes were inserted into her brain, and electrical devices were implanted deep into her ears.
Double Trouble would be deprived of food for days at a time, and experimenters would hold a feeding tube in the metal device in front of her mouth to deliver morsels of food so that she would cooperate during experiments.
Double Trouble's open, bloody head wound became a breeding ground for a serious bacterial infection.
UW staff ultimately determined that their experiment with Double Trouble was a failure, and they killed and decapitated her so that
they could examine her brain.
they could examine her brain.
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Following PETA's release of the pictures and video of Double Trouble the UW released the following statement on their website and posted at their FB-page:
September 12, 2012
Allegations made today (Wednesday, Sept. 12) by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals about sound localization studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are unsubstantiated. At best, they are a gross misrepresentation of the research and the care and treatment provided to the animals in the study.
The research develops a better understanding of how the brain combines information from the two ears, including sound localization. Cats are used because of their extraordinary talents at localizing sounds. Feral cats likely do most of their hunting at night because that is when their rodent prey is most active. Because vision at night is limited, hearing is the primary sensory cue for the cat to localize its prey. The cat auditory system is very similar to that of humans, making it relevant to clinical studies of humans with bilateral cochlear implants.
The images from the UW-Madison lab were taken to document a surgical technique for bilateral and unilateral cochlear implants. The surgery depicted in the images mirrors the procedures done in human patients receiving cochlear implants, and is done according to the same standards of care and minimizing discomfort that occurs when humans undergo the surgery. The implant shown on the cat is essentially a cochlear implant engineered in a way so that it remains in place.
UW-Madison takes its responsibility for the humane use of animals in research with the utmost seriousness. Alternatives are used whenever possible and all research is subject to strict regulations governing animal care and comfort. Every effort is made to meet both the letter and spirit of those rules.
For more on animal research at UW-Madison, click here.
Allegations made today (Wednesday, Sept. 12) by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals about sound localization studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are unsubstantiated. At best, they are a gross misrepresentation of the research and the care and treatment provided to the animals in the study.
The research develops a better understanding of how the brain combines information from the two ears, including sound localization. Cats are used because of their extraordinary talents at localizing sounds. Feral cats likely do most of their hunting at night because that is when their rodent prey is most active. Because vision at night is limited, hearing is the primary sensory cue for the cat to localize its prey. The cat auditory system is very similar to that of humans, making it relevant to clinical studies of humans with bilateral cochlear implants.
The images from the UW-Madison lab were taken to document a surgical technique for bilateral and unilateral cochlear implants. The surgery depicted in the images mirrors the procedures done in human patients receiving cochlear implants, and is done according to the same standards of care and minimizing discomfort that occurs when humans undergo the surgery. The implant shown on the cat is essentially a cochlear implant engineered in a way so that it remains in place.
UW-Madison takes its responsibility for the humane use of animals in research with the utmost seriousness. Alternatives are used whenever possible and all research is subject to strict regulations governing animal care and comfort. Every effort is made to meet both the letter and spirit of those rules.
For more on animal research at UW-Madison, click here.
James Cromwell arrested protesting UW cat experiments
February 7, 2013 - Members of the University of Wisconsin (UW) System Board of Regents sat stunned as actor James Cromwell entered their meeting to challenge them over experiments on cats.
