Animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has urged the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School to remove a senior researcher from a key oversight position and revoke approval for his alleged experiments on dogs.
In a letter addressed to Chancellor Michael F. Collins, PETA requested that researcher Matt Gounis be removed as Chair of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which monitors compliance with animal welfare regulations. The organisation argued that his dual role as both experimenter and committee chair presents a conflict of interest.
Allegations of invasive procedures
PETA alleges that dogs used in the experiments were subjected to multiple invasive surgeries, including procedures to create artificial aneurysms by manipulating blood vessels. The animals were reportedly operated on several times before being euthanised.
The organisation stated that it filed complaints in December with US regulatory authorities, including the Department of Agriculture and the National Institutes of Health, citing whistleblower accounts and documentation.
Among the allegations is a claim that certain dogs were deliberately underfed to keep their weight below 19 kilograms, a threshold that would require larger housing under applicable guidelines. PETA claims laboratory records and photographs show signs of malnourishment.
University yet to respond publicly
PETA also referenced previous animal welfare citations issued to the university. It has called on the institution to adopt alternative research methods that do not involve animal testing.
As of Tuesday, UMass Chan had not issued a public response to the latest allegations. The matter is expected to be reviewed by relevant authorities as part of ongoing regulatory scrutiny.