The lead researcher involved in a contentious study on canine cardiac health has spoken out in defense of his research for the first time after his lab in London, Ontario was closed down and there were threats to ban dog testing in research by the provincial premier. Frank Prato granted an exclusive interview to CBC London following the clearance of all animal abuse accusations by two separate animal ethics committees.
In August, an article by the Investigative Journalism Bureau and Postmedia disclosed that scientists at Lawson Research Institute were conducting trials where dogs and puppies were induced with three-hour heart attacks, euthanized, and their hearts extracted for further examination at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London. The research was shrouded in secrecy, with animals reportedly brought into the hospital in covered crates amid loud music to mask their sounds. St. Joseph’s ceased Prato’s research in response to public outrage, including criticism from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who vowed to crack down on scientists conducting experiments on animals and introduced legislation to prohibit invasive medical research on cats and dogs.
Prato disputes claims that his work was conducted covertly, emphasizing that he initiated the use of dogs to study post-heart attack effects in 1982 at the hospital. He argues that the dogs, fully anesthetized during procedures, do not endure the same pain as humans during heart attacks and that the research has been instrumental in advancing understanding of heart diseases and recovery processes, ultimately saving lives.
An independent review carried out by Western University’s Animal Care Committee (ACC) in September and the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) in October found no substantiation of misconduct in Prato’s lab. The investigations involved on-site inspections, record reviews, and detailed interviews with relevant personnel, concluding that the study did not induce heart failure and ensured the dogs did not experience pain during the process.
Following surgical procedures, the dogs were closely monitored by a clinical veterinarian multiple times daily, provided socialization activities, appropriate bedding, toys, and nutrition. The review affirmed that the animal model used was appropriate and had made substantial contributions globally to managing myocardial infarction patients.
Prato highlights the necessity of such research for advancing heart disease treatments, expressing concern that halting these studies could hinder progress in saving lives. He explains that dogs were chosen for cardiac research due to their anatomical resemblance to human hearts compared to other animals and the similarity in cardiovascular systems’ response to heart attacks.
Despite facing repercussions in his professional and personal life, Prato remains focused on the potential impact on cardiac patients, emphasizing the importance of balancing animal welfare with advancements in medical science.
