File #: Res 1722-2008    Version: * Name: 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.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on State and Federal Legislation
On agenda: 12/9/2008
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: 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.
Sponsors: Tony Avella, Gale A. Brewer, Letitia James, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Annabel Palma
Council Member Sponsors: 5

Res. No. 1722

 

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 Avella, Brewer, James, Mark-Viverito and Palma

 

                     Whereas, Currently, the Army is implementing 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 is strongly opposed to this activity, including the American Medical Student Association, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, and Dr. John Pawlowski of Harvard Medical School; and

                     Whereas, Other nations, like the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, have actually banned practicing animal surgery for human surgical practice 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 with the purpose of training soldiers how to treat critical gunshot wounds.

MD/jp

LS #6019

10/24/08