Res. No. 893
Resolution calling on the United States Army to permanently discontinue the practice of shooting and experimenting on living pigs for the purpose of training soldiers how to treat critical gunshot wounds.
By Council Members Dromm, Brewer, Chin, Koslowitz, Lander, Mendez, Williams and Gonzalez
Whereas, The United States Army has engaged in a plan to shoot live pigs and treat their gunshot wounds in medical drills for soldiers; and
Whereas, This plan was recently employed by the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii; and
Whereas, It is reported that this activity is very difficult and traumatic for some soldiers who are reminded of their own pets; and
Whereas, The practice of shooting live pigs for training purposes is unnecessary and barbaric; and
Whereas, This practice is cruel to the animals and unwarranted in light of current technological developments; and
Whereas, There are far better techniques for training soldiers to treat gunshot wounds, including highly advanced mannequin simulations with synthetic organs and tissue; and
Whereas, A generous donation was specifically given to the Schofield Barracks to further develop the medical mannequin technique; and
Whereas, The medical community, including the American Medical Student Association, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, and Dr. John Pawlowski of Harvard Medical School, is strongly opposed to this activity; and
Whereas, Other nations, like the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, have actually banned the practice of animal surgery for human surgical training purposes in medical schools; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Army to permanently discontinue the practice of shooting and experimenting on living pigs for the purpose of training soldiers how to treat critical gunshot wounds.
Res No. 1722-2008
LS # 2113
6/9/11