Researchers at Maastrict University have called a halt to plans to use 39 labrador dogs for experiments with pacemakers and related heart research.

A petition organised by the Anti Animal Testing coalition generated 83,000 signatures within a few days, forcing the university to rethink.

Campaigners said one third of the dogs being used for the tests would die.

Concerns

‘The university understands that there are societal concerns with respect to the use of laboratory animals, including dogs… UM takes such concerns seriously when determining its course of action,’ the university said in a statement.

‘For this reason, UM has decided to take additional time to consider the case further. At this time, the research involving the laboratory animals is not yet underway.’

However, the university has not ruled out using big dogs in experiments in the future. ‘In some cases the use of laboratory animals remains necessary to achieve medical breakthroughs that will benefit both people and animals,’ the statement said.