A VICTORY FOR STAMPY!
This is Stampy. He was housed at the UT Animal Resources Center, 27th
and Speedway. The ARC houses nearly 20,000 animals used for experimentation
at UT by almost 100 researchers.
Since 1997, an Austin corporation, Cedra, had a contract with the ARC. Cedra paid the ARC to house, kill and extract the organs of nearly 30 Beagles.
The organs were then used to create cell cultures, which Cedra sold to pharmaceutical companies for up to $400 each. Since hundreds of cell cultures can be created from each animal, Cedra profited considerably from killing these Beagles.
SACA found out about this deal in the Fall of 2000. At that time, 3 perfectly healthy Beagles were housed at the ARC, isolated from each other in steel and concrete cages. Members of SACA visited these Beagles regularly througout the semester, to bring them snacks and offer some companionship.
When one of the Beagles, Junior was unexpectedly euthanized, it caught SACA members off guard. We had developed personal relationships with the dogs, and the loss was emotionally draining.
In response, we escalated our actions. We held a demonstration, contacted media and passed a student government resolution demanding the release of Stampy, the last Beagle. He was scheduled to be killed by Christmas, 2000.
When we set up a meeting with the Vice President of Research at UT, Cedra quickly backed out of their contract and released Stampy. They took a considerable loss of profit.
This never happens on college campuses.
Stampy, who we estimate is 5 years old, had spent his entire life in confinement. He was bred by Harlan, a "supplier" of research animals.
Because of this, Stampy was afraid to walk on grass, cross doorways, or play in the yard. Every sight, sound and smell paralyzed him.
Stampy has adjusted quickly to his new life, though. He now lives with a local animal rights activist, and is doing excellent.
Chronology of Events:
Press
Release 1: Second Beagle, "Junior," killed at UT for profit
Press
Release 2: Students Protest UT Killing of Beagles
"Animal
rights group fights for beagle's life," The Daily Texan, 12/6/00
Text of Student Government Resolution in Support of SACA
Letter to President Faulkner from Student Government Rep
Letter of support from alumni
Press Release 4: Student Activist Harassed
by Animal Researcher
Press Release 5: UT Officials Agree to Student
Demands, Beagle Released From Research Facility
Student
Government Webpage on the Victory
Hate mail from UT vivisector sent to SACA
member
Response by SACA member
Vivisector responds
SACAs proposal:
To ensure there will not be another Stampy at the Animal Resources Center,
SACA has a proposal to end all research on dogs at the facility. In addition,
SACA demands a student representative on the Institutional Animal Care
and Use Committee. Students at the University of Oregon were successful
with a similar campaign. This would show that UT recognizes studentsâ
concerns, and is willing to end the secrecy of the Animal Resources Center.
SACA's Proposal to the IACUC
SACA's Revised Proposal to the IACUC
Please contact members of the IACUC and voice your support.