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A new bipartisan bill seeks to end taxpayer-funded, painful dog experiments at Michigan’s public institutions, following decades of controversy at Wayne State University.
Sen. Wojno and Rep. Aragona Push to End Painful Dog Testing in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. – State Sen. Paul Wojno (D-Warren) has introduced “Queenie’s Law”, a bill aimed at prohibiting painful dog experiments at Michigan’s publicly funded institutions. A companion bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Joe Aragona (R-Clinton Twp.). The legislation comes in response to long-standing criticism of Wayne State University’s controversial dog research program.
Decades of Controversial Dog Testing at Wayne State
Public records show that since 1991, Wayne State has conducted invasive dog experiments, where university employees:
- Open the animals’ chest cavities
- Insert wires and catheters into their hearts
- Implant medical devices in and around their arteries
- Force the surviving dogs to run on treadmills while the devices trigger heart failure
Newly released records also reveal that the university has begun feeding dogs high-fat diets to induce metabolic syndrome, a condition linked to an increased risk of strokes. One such dog, Queenie, a stray from Gratiot County, died at Wayne State in 2010 after seven months in the program.
Legislators, Public Figures, and Experts Speak Out
Sen. Wojno stressed the importance of ending these taxpayer-funded experiments. “Michiganders deserve better from our public research institutions. This bill would ensure that their taxpayer dollars are used to advance human health, not to harm and kill defenseless animals.”
Criticism of Wayne State’s research has come from various corners, including:
- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel
- Wayne State faculty and students
- Actors and Wayne State alumni Lily Tomlin and Ernie Hudson
Ryan Merkley, director of research advocacy for the Physicians Committee, highlighted the financial waste involved. “It is shameful that a public institution is inflicting pain on man’s best friend while wasting millions of taxpayer dollars. We are grateful that Sen. Wojno and Rep. Aragona are addressing this problem.”
Scientific and Ethical Concerns Over Dog Testing
The Physicians Committee reports that nearly $15 million in public funds have been spent on the experiments over the past three decades. The organization points to more effective alternatives, including:
- Patient trials
- Population studies
- Donated and diseased human hearts
Notably, the Texas Heart Institute, a leading cardiovascular research center, stopped using dogs in 2015, citing that “the canine physiology is not the optimal match” for its studies.
What ‘Queenie’s Law’ Would Do
The legislation would prohibit public institutions from conducting experiments that inflict pain on dogs. However, it would not apply to research where animals do not experience pain or where non-public entities conduct the experiments.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee for further discussion.
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