PETA Campaign Prompts Polish Military to End Deadly Animal Labs

Poland Stops Stabbing and Killing Animals, Joins Majority of EU and NATO Nations in Using Modern Human Simulators

For Immediate Release:
November 20, 2013

Contact:
Tasgola Bruner 202-483-7382

Live animals are no longer cut open, mutilated or killed by the Polish military.

After two years of discussions with PETA and its international affiliates, the Polish Armed Forces confirmed that the country has replaced its use of animals in military training exercises with modern human-like medical simulators.

Poland’s decision means that more than 80 percent of NATO nations are now training service members without harming any animals, leaving only a handful of countries, including the U.S., still using animals.

Protest letters from PETA supporters and PETA’s information about the benefits of simulators prompted the shift, a Polish official said. Almost 30,000 people wrote to Polish military leaders through the action alerts of PETA UK and its affiliates.

“Poland’s compassionate decision means that animals’ lives will be saved and the Polish armed forces will be better trained to treat human injuries on the battlefield,” says PETA Director of Laboratory Investigations Justin Goodman. “For the sake of humans and animals, the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Denmark, and Norway should follow Poland’s lead and modernize their training programs.”

Studies have repeatedly found that modern simulators that replicate human anatomy and physiology teach lifesaving skills better than animal-based exercises.

A 2012 study published by PETA and military doctors found that Poland, the U.K., Denmark, Norway, Canada, and the U.S were the only NATO nations still using animals for military training. PETA UK filed a complaint in August with the European Commission against the militaries of Poland and other European countries for apparent violations of EU law requiring the use of non-animal training methods when possible.

In July 2013, the U.S. Army confirmed its new policy that prohibits non-medical and certain medical personnel from using animals in trauma exercises, which are similar to the military drill that PETA exposed last year in video footage  that showed live goats having their limbs broken and cut off with tree trimmers.

For more information, visit PETA.org.