Group Seeks to End Maiming and Killing of Animals in Trauma-Training Exercises

For Immediate Release:
March 19, 2009 

Contact:
Kelly Anderson 757-622-7382 

San Antonio -- Handing out leaflets that inform whistleblowers about how to speak out against possible violations of the law, PETA members will hold a demonstration outside a military recruitment station to protest the stabbing and killing of live goats at nearby Fort Sam Houston. PETA organized the event after learning that medics at the facility use live goats as "stand-ins" for wounded soldiers before killing them as part of a trauma-training exercise. PETA has exposed the maiming and killing of live animals at 17 U.S. military bases and four private contract facilities and has asked the commander of each base--as well as the Department of Defense--to stop using live animals when non-animal alternatives are available: 

When:   Friday, March 20, 12 noon

Where:  1700 N. Main Ave. (on the corner of N. Main and E. Myrtle streets)

PETA points out that the exercises may violate the Department of Defense's own animal welfare regulation, which requires the use of non-animal methods whenever such methods are available. Other military installations--such as the Air Force Expeditionary Medical Skills Institute's Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills as well as the Navy Trauma Training Center--do not perform these outdated and cruel exercises.  

"Stabbing and killing goats in training exercises is antiquated and does a disservice to our soldiers," says PETA Director of Laboratory Investigations Kathy Guillermo. "Not only are these deadly practices cruel and outmoded, they also appear to violate military regulations." 

PETA's letter to Col. Mary E. Garr, commander of the U.S. Army Garrison at Fort Sam Houston, is available on request. For more information, please visit StopAnimalTests.com.