The chief researcher involved in a contentious cardiac study conducted on dogs has spoken out in defense of the significance of his work, marking the first occasion since his laboratory in London, Ont. was closed and the Ontario premier threatened to outlaw canine research.
Frank Prato granted an exclusive interview to CBC London following the clearance of all animal abuse accusations by two distinct animal ethics committees. The research, carried out at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, was exposed by the Investigative Journalism Bureau and Postmedia in August. It was revealed that dogs and puppies were subjected to induced three-hour heart attacks before being euthanized for further examination.
The study was conducted discreetly, with the animals reportedly transported to the hospital in covered crates to muffle their sounds, as per whistleblowers. Subsequent to public backlash, including criticism from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, St. Joseph’s terminated Prato’s research. The premier had strongly condemned scientists conducting experiments on animals and proposed legislation to ban “invasive medical research” on cats and dogs.
Prato countered claims of secrecy, emphasizing that he initiated the use of dogs to study post-heart-attack effects in 1982. He argued that the dogs were fully anesthetized and did not experience pain, unlike humans during heart attacks. Independent reviews by Western University’s Animal Care Committee (ACC) and the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) found no evidence of wrongdoing in Prato’s lab, affirming that the animal model was appropriate and made significant contributions to heart disease research.
The dogs underwent regular monitoring and care post-surgery, with interactions and socialization activities provided by animal care staff. Prato stressed the importance of his research in advancing treatments for heart failure, expressing regret over the potential loss of life-saving advancements due to the controversy surrounding his work.
Prato justified the use of dogs in cardiac research, citing their physiological similarities to humans and the necessity of their cardiovascular system for studying heart disease. Despite facing professional and personal repercussions, Prato remains focused on the potential implications for cardiac patients, lamenting the prioritization of animal rights over human health advancements.