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Class Dissection Of Live Dog Outrages Parents, Students

Student: 'It Just Makes Me Sick...'

Update May 19, 2005 Salt Lake Tribune: Utah people actually think like this, come read and you will be shocked: CLICK HERE


 Silent Vigil


Please, forward this on to all of those that you know. In numbers we can do anything...
Too many times in a day does an animal lose his/her life due to incompetence of a human or lack of homes and education. I believe we are way past due to pay our respects to those unfortunate babies that fall short in life.
If we could, we would like everyone everywhere to hold a Silent Vigil on Sunday evening for our little guy that fell in to the hands of a biology class. Please, at 9:00 pm light a candle for him and the 3 minute Silent Vigil will begin..
He will be the first of many that we should pay our respect to every Sunday at 9:00pm where ever you live. It's only 3 minutes out of our lives for the lives of the thousands that die everyday..
The first Vigil will begin this Sunday May 15th @ 9:00 pm in memory of the little guy in Gunnison, Utah. From then on they will be held across the country every Sunday.. This is the least we can do for those that have lost their lives or their lives have been taken from them.

Thank you for your time, they will thank you even more..  Friends in Need

POSTED: 8:12 am EDT May 12, 2005
Here is the contact information for the school:
 
Gunnison Valley High School
(435) 528-7256
35 E 600 S
Gunnison, UT 84634
kirk anderson@ssanpete.k12.ut.us 
South Sanpete Board of Education Board Members
Michael D. Barclay - President: michael.barclay@ssanpete.k12.ut.us 
Larry Smith - Vice President: larry.smith@ssanpete.k12.ut.us  
Jim Braithwaite: james.braithwaite@ssanpete.k12.ut.us  
Nancy R. Jensen: nancy.jensen@ssanpete.k12.ut.us 
Kim Pickett: kim.pickett@ssanpete.k12.ut.us 
Tell them to PHONE UTAH.. the government and the school board people...and  use this link:
http://capwiz.com/yo-demo/dbq/media/ to email all their local MEDIA! They can send 5 emails at a time!
Anderson Thomas E DVM
 

 
630 S Main
Gunnison, UT 84634
Phone:  (435) 528-7900 
 
 

 

Utah Governor's Office

Jon Huntsman
Utah State Capitol Complex
East Office Building, Suite E220
PO Box 142220
Salt Lake City, Utah  84114-2220
801-538-1000
800-705-2464
Fax 801-538-1528
Lt. Governor's Fax 801-538-1557

 
  
http://www.utah.gov/governor/

 

UPDATE May 14, 2005

SALT LAKE CITY (Reuters) - A Utah high school expressed regret on Thursday for the vivisection of a stray dog as part of a biology lesson.

Some parents and students complained after a substitute biology teacher at Gunnison Valley High School took eight girls, aged 16 and 17, to a local veterinary clinic on Tuesday to watch abdominal dissection on a dog under general anesthetic. The lesson was aimed at teaching students about the digestive system.

"It just makes me sick and I don't think this should go on anywhere and nobody is learning from it," student Sierra Sears told local TV channel ABC 4 news.

Donald Hill, assistant superintendent of the South Sanpete School District, said: "This shouldn't happen again. Our schools will not participate in this again. We don't condone this."

Vet Tom Anderson said the incident, reported in local television and newspapers, had been blown out of proportion.

"It was about a three-minute procedure involving abdominal surgery. It was done under general anesthetic. It was an aggressive and abandoned dog. It was not fit to be adopted," Anderson said. The dog was put to sleep after the procedure.

The school said permission had been sought and obtained from parents of the students, and that two students had exercised their right to opt out of the visit.

"All they did was view it. They did not remove or dissect any parts. It was not barbaric," said assistant principal Trevor Powell. "(But) we will have to find a better way next time."

It was not clear what action, if any, would be taken against the substitute teacher, who has not been named.

 UPDATE 05/13/05

10pm News on Ch. 4 in Utah quoted Gene Baierschmidt, director of Utah Humane Society, tonight saying to Principal, Teacher and Veterinarian involved: "...using poor judgement...we have received numerous complaints of outrage nationally."  I recorded the story.  But the last time a "big animal cruelty"  Gassing with pick up truck exhaust in So Utah Small Town, story was aired nationally, the local decision makers did not make any changes even with the outrage nationally, and the town does business as always. Utah did not pass the Felony Animal Cruelty Bill on the Ballot again this year, as it did not pass 9 yrs ago. Is there not a state law at all about inhumane treatment of pets?  Are there not guidelines in the state laws and in the Humane Society Animal Cruelty guidelines Jon Fox, our State's only Animal Cruelty Officer, follows?
 
A question for lawmakers, school officials and parents:  Is the mental trauma children experienced by watching a "pet dog" being dissected while still alive, worth the "educational opportunity" as the teacher stated, and principal stated would be continued?  Why do they think this has never been done before in grades K-12? Just look at the national outrage and the local student and parent disgust. (below)
 
According the the  Nation's #1 expert on Animal/Human Abuse, Dr. Frank Ascione, Utah STate University, and as was written in Utah HB 242 this year that was not passed by our Legislature, "... even the witnessing of abuse, will desensitize and traumatize a child..."  "children are more likely to commit animal abuse when their capacity for empathy has been undermined or compromised ( for example, by years of neglect or maltreatment – see Bavolek, 2000).  Developing a sense of empathy for animals is assumed to be a bridge to greater empathy for fellow human beings, making violence toward them less likely.”  "All 50 States have legislation related to animal abuse.  Most States categorize it as a misdemeanor offense and 41 states and the District of Columbia also have instituted felony-level statutes for certain forms of cruelty to animals (“Animal cruelty legislation”, 2003).  However, legal definitions of animal abuse and even the types of animals that are covered by these statutes differ from State to State (Ascione and Lockwood, 2001; Frasch, Otto, Olsen, and Ernest, 1999; Lacroix, 1998)).  The research literature also fails to yield a consistent definition of animal abuse or cruelty to animals; however, the following definition captures features common to most attempts to define this behavior: “socially unacceptable behavior that intentionally causes unnecessary pain, suffering, or distress to and/or death of an animal” (Ascione, 1993, p. 228). 
 
Thank you to all National Rescues and Animal Welfare Organizations that are following up on this to help pets in Utah.  WE all hope that Utah will finally define Animal Cruelty and its penalty.
To tell Media,  the goverment and the school board people... use this link:
http://capwiz.com/yo-demo/dbq/media/ to email all their local MEDIA! They can send 5 emails at a time!

FROM OUR UTAH HUMANE SOCIETY ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATOR

Dear (SAVE A DOG & KIDS),

Thank you for your blind copy e-mail concerning the Channel 4 story about Gunnison High, Gunnison Valley Veterinary Clinic, and the biology "project" involving a dog which was slated for euthanasia as being a stray and unclaimed by its owner within the allotted number of days.

The Humane Society of Utah sent out a press release yesterday (see
attachment) concerning this incident. We believe that it was inappropriate to expose the students to such a graphic surgical procedure and then to know that the dog was going to be euthanized immediately following the procedure. This can only be desensitizing to the students, who are at an age when they are still formulating their initial values involving their relationships to other people, animals, and their environment.

While the procedure wasn't "cruel" within the definition of the Utah state animal cruelty statutes, I would certainly agree that it was inappropriate and "disrespectful" towards the value of an animal's life.
Having spoken with the veterinarian this morning, I don't believe that this type of procedure will be done in the future.

I understand that the High School's biology classes have, throughout the years, visited this veterinary clinic to observe surgical sterilization procedures. This, I believe, is a useful and instructional opportunity. It benefits the animal's health, it reduces the pet-over population problem, and introduces students to the benefits which can come from the veterinary profession.

I believe that because of the outpouring of public sentiment concerning this incident the school and veterinarian will likely review their curriculum and not plan another outing similar in nature to the one reported upon.

Thank you for your interest and concern.

Sincerely,

John Paul Fox
Chief Investigator
(jfox@utahhumane.org)

MAY 14, 2005

South Sanpete School District Decides to End Future Live Dog Experiments

Cow

Reports have surfaced regarding Doug Bjerregaard, a substitute biology teacher at Gunnison Valley High School in Utah's South Sanpete School District, who took his students to a local veterinary clinic to witness the cutting up of a living dog in an effort to "educate" them firsthand about human anatomy. This dog was brought from a shelter, and a high school science class watched as she was anesthetized and cut open on a cold surgical table while still alive, in order for functioning organs to be observed.

Treating animals like scientific "tools" is clearly not the message that teachers should be sending to impressionable students. James Petersen, the superintendent for the school district notes the following in a public statement: "We wish to apologize that the incident happened. Such procedures have not been a part of our curriculum in the past and will not be allowed in the future." While we applaud this step in the right direction, we are encouraging the district to enact a policy prohibiting the use of all animals in its curriculum.

Instead of using animals to teach students the basics of human anatomy, teachers should use one of the following popular methods:

bulletNon-animal mannequins and simulators
bulletEducational videos
bulletMultimedia computer simulations
bulletClinical practice and human-cadaver observation

Significant progressive strides have been made in reducing the number of animals who end up on school dissection tables. Additionally, even many well-regarded universities no longer use live animals, such as the University of Utah School of Medicine. And countless schools have incorporated the progressive animal-free learning tools listed above.

Superintendent Petersen has welcomed PETA's overtures to consider adopting these alternatives. We look forward to working with Mr. Petersen, and we are grateful for his swift and compassionate decision.

Learn how to take a stand against cruel animal experiments at your school.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

            UTAH LAWMAKERS URGED TO BAN USE OF SHELTER PETS IN MEDICAL RESEARCH

The Humane Society of the United States has issued the following statement after learning that a dog reportedly from a Utah shelter was used in a school experiment:


The Humane Society of the United States was outraged to learn that a dog was dissected in a high school biology exercise about digestion.

Utah is one of only five states that require animals from animal shelters to be made available for scientific experiments. Currently, 15 other states ban the use of animals from shelters for research purposes. We call for the Utah legislature to ban seizure of animals from shelters and humane societies for use in research.

Animal shelters should not be used as a cheap supply house for researchers, and we believe that the continued use of animals from shelters destroys the public confidence that they have worked so hard to build.

The surrender of impounded animals from shelters to research facilities that use animals for experimental teaching or testing purposes is unethical. Research conducted on shelter animals contributes to a breakdown of effective community animal-control programs and undermines public confidence in the ability of shelters to provide humane care for the animals entrusted to them.


The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization representing more than nine million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.

                                                                                                  --30--

CONTACT:  Rachel Querry, 301-258-8255, rquerry@hsus.org


 
 
From: Cindy Sutherland
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 8:56 PM
Subject: Fwd: RE: Utah situation

 
More info regarding who to contact regarding this mess in Utah....  Thank you Kristi and Denise for letting us know of this.  Arizona cares and we will help send our thoughts you can COUNT on that!!!   Here you go everyone...read to the bottom for full scoop then lock and load!
Cindy

 From: Tres CIC tres@c...
>
> Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 12:41 PM
> I just SPOKE to the Schools SUPERINTENDENT!!! Mr PETERSON
>
>
> Ok everyone... I just had a good conversation with a man who was
actually UNAWARE this had happened. His name is Mr. Peterson and is
the superintendent of the school this took place in. He listened
offered lots of info and was very helpful in answering my
questions... and PROMISED he would see that this would NEVER happen
again in his school. He also said, that the school principal was
very wrong in trying to defend the teachers actions and that this
wasn't even a 'regular full time teacher there'. I urged him to try
to take this horrible event and turn it around and use the schools
high press profile to turn this around and push for a law to make
such actions illegal. He has issued as statement that is on the
schools website that I have read. They do say on the site: this type
of thing will NOT HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE. It also goes into more
details about what happened and that the dog was under anesthesia. I
did call him back after reading this to say this statement was in
the right direction but I felt it needed a bit of rewording. He was
on the phone so I left a message with the secretary. And guess
what... HE DID call me back! He is a calm man who does seem like he
CARES and didn't have any idea about what happened till after the
fact and personally is horrified by it all. I urge you now to WRITE
HIM.. not call and ask him to USE HIS VOICE and PRESS CONTACTS to
CHANGE THE LAW and MAKE THIS ILLEGAL ANYWHERE IN THE US> To UTILIZE
the power of the computer learn biology. To teach kindness and
compassion. Let's now encourage this man to step up to the plate to
change things!
>
> Write him: Mr. James Peterson
> 39 South Main
> Manti, Utah 84642
 

 
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 3:15 PM
Gunnison Incident (response from Chief Investigator in Utah)

 
Dear Mr. Fox:  In addition to what we in rescue view as a horrendously
ill-conceived idea for children in this or almost any age group under
adulthood, the odds are that there will be one among these children,
probably a male,  who will proceed with a similar procedure on their own
or another's animal or stray behind their barn, or in the family garage,
a section of wooded area or similar secluded spot.  Thus, through the
wonder of education, a seed is planted for an abuser.  The amount and
severity of animal abuse by children/teens is hard to imagine, much less
the people who are now mature and continuing with the torture and abuse
of animals they initiated as children.  Similarly, the film industry has
no clue about this either and should preface all their idiotic animal
jokes and situations (such as a cat flushing a small dog down a toilet)
with "don't try this at home" or "these are not real animals."  I wonder
how many small dogs were "flushed" down toilets after that stinker hit
the screen.  Fake animals are thrown across the room against a wall and
that is supposed to be funny.  In fact, it is an immediate devaluation
of that animal's life, something that "plants" an attitude in an
impressionable, or maybe just not that bright, mind.  This misbegotten
idea in Gunnison, whose time has hopefully now expired with your
assistance, calls into question the underlying motives of the adults
involved.  For me personally, when any adult wants to expose the insides
of a living, sentient being who might have been someone's family pet, to
a group of children under his care and control,  I question the
unconscious motives of that person and would really like to look under
his mattress for other "prurient" material.   There is a "shock and awe"
aspect to this entire matter that has a very unhealthy aura.  The
alternative to this scenario is that these are just not very bright
people, and it is in just such an unhealthy and uninformed atmosphere
that the abuse of animals as objects on which to inflict pain, suffering
and sexual deviances is begun.  Thankfully, from what I have seen
reported on this, there will be no repeat performance.  Thank you for
the press release and for the undoubtedly strong influence you have had
in bringing this very disturbing matter to a close.  Very truly yours,

PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST

Susan A. Trear
Legal Assistant
2030 Main Street, Suite 1200
Irvine, CA  92614
Dir:  949.851.7466
Fax:  949.752.0597
email:  strear@jdtplaw.com

From East Coast Rescue:

I find it extremely difficult to find the proper words to express my disgust and utter disbelief over what has been allowed in your school under the guidance of the substitute Biology teacher Doug Bjerregaard. I do not even know where to begin to tell you how outraged the entire nation is about this. I live in a small northeastern town in VT and everyone involved in rescue and the humane treatment of animals are in shock that this not only can happen in a school but also be condoned by the rest of the staff including the principal.
This is so beyond abuse I cannot even find a name for it. In VT this is a felony and that teacher would be in jail. Every parent of the children exposed to this cruelty would be calling attorneys and suing not only the teacher but the board of education. Did you feel just because some irresponsible owner dumped their precious companion animal off at some dog pound that was going to kill it anyway may as well be of some use to society? Is this your idea of how to teach how the digestive system of a dog works? Do you also  teach how the digestive system of a human works? What do you use for a subject? Perhaps a child that is nothing but a burden or nuisance to the community? Some elderly person who is bordering senility because after all, they wouldn't know what was going on anyway? The entire graphic image I have of this precious dog being alive while mutilated in the name of science is just sick and demented.
The emotional trauma you have exposed these children to is inexcusable. This so called teacher isn't even up on a level with Jeffery Dahmer. At least Dahmer had the decency to kill his "subjects" before he mutilated them. And how many already troubled children are you pushing to be the next Dahmer? How many will go home thinking they are now knowledgeable in doing this procedure and try it on their neighbors dog, or worse, another animal to see how they differ? It is a proven fact that people, especially young and vulnerable ones, who abuse animals will and do go on to do the same to humans. Do you fully realize what these actions have started? Do you know how many innocent children will need professional help for what you felt was all in a day of learning? Rescues like myself across the US work everyday to help save abused and neglected animals. My own grandchildren have to be shielded from many of the things we as adults see everyday because the trauma would be too much for them to bear. The oldest, a 14 year old female was upset for a week after watching a one hour Animal Cops show on television about abused and neglected animals. I don't even want to think about what an hour in your school would have done to her.
This is unacceptable and has to stop. The nation is watching. Rescues, Humane Societies and other abuse agencies are all aware and nobody is going to let this slip through the cracks. I for one would highly suggest you reprimand and suspend this so called teacher. Make a public apology statement to the parents, children and the community and just count your blessings no if lawsuits appear on your desk.
 
 
Kathie

NORTHEAT LAB KINGDOM RESCUE AND RELOCATION

bonniebarry1@
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 12:54 PM

Subject: LIVE DOG was Disected!

 
Dear Denise,
 
I am sickened beyond belief. We'll indeed crosspost to as many media people as we can...
 
Bonnie  (national pet relocation transportation MOvie Producer)

Denise,

 Thank you for your concern in this situation. We have received a great number of inquiries such as yours and are indeed amazed that this was allowed to take place, especially in an educational setting.

 Donald Hill, assistant superintendent of the South Sanpete School District in Utah has stated this will not take place again. You can read more at:

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/3180218

 If you wish to express your feelings about this situation, use the contact information listed at Petabuse.com:  http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/4554 

 It is great to know there are people out there like you who are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of animals!

 Sincerely,

 Deborah Delgado-Hand No More Homeless Pets Best Friends Animal Society 5001 Angel Canyon

Kanab, Utah 84741

(435) 644-3965 ext. 4401

deborahd@bestfriends.org

www.bestfriends.org


Mr Anderson,
How cruel can one be, imagine your mother or wife or daughter, sedated and then
dissected that would have been a great lesson for the kids to see live organs functioning, what's next? Old people in nursing homes, they can also be sedated and dissected. or poor Terry Schiavo she was brain dead anyway, that would have been even better, don't you agree?

I think that people and animals were put in this earth by God, and that each one deserves respect, love, warmth, and care.
Even animals that are sick they deserve to die with respect, and sometimes we as responsible pet owners have to put them out of their pain and misery.And it hurts a hell of a lot.
I think that you as the principle of this school should not allow this. This is inhumane,let the poor dog die in peace. Why should he be abused, even if he was to be euthanized, he should have been euthanized.not sedated and dissected.

I think that by accepting this cruel and inhumane action you are sending out a wrong message to   the kids of the school, they look up to their principle, their leader
If you think that dissecting a live dog is educational, then you probably agree with Hitler and his perfected race, and the ovens, and  it is obvious that you are a sick and abusive person and should not be the principle.

Leave the poor animals alone, if you are not going to love them, rescue them
or feed them or teach the kids about unconditional love, and responsibilities and the ,
joys and wonderful times spent with them.

Dr. Zigg, Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine Doctor from South Beach, Florida

_____________________________________________-

Thank you for your coverage of the Horrible Inhumane act of the
Veterinarian.
I have found online the Veterinarian Practice Act
at:     http://www.le.state.ut.us/~code/TITLE58/58_0E.htm

abandonment statute
58-28-9. Animal abandonment.

(1) Any animal which suffers abandonment for a period of 10 days may be sold or placed in the custody of the nearest humane society or county dog pound if the animal is not picked up within seven days after mailing a notification, by certified mail, to the last known address of the person placing the animal in the veterinarian's custody. If no humane society or dog pound is located in the county, the animal may be disposed of in the humane manner.

(2) A veterinarian who complies with this section is relieved from liability for the disposal or sale of abandoned animals.

I have voiced by complaint to the lisensing board of Utah.

Please add to your site a petition at

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/339755891?ltl=1116206624 

Joella Teague" <jteague@stx.rr.com>

 

Most of the Major Medical Schools have closed their dog labs. They have incredible models of humans that are anatomically perfect. They operate just like humans; they bleed and they are amazing. They are more realistic for students and no dogs are suffering.

 
Call or email Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine. Neal Benard or a member of his staff can tell you about these. I saw the video and heard a talk from the guys who makes these. They are remarkable.
 
Please sign petition.
 
Ann Katcef
 
  Ban Animal Dissection in the classrooms
    
Thank you for your message regarding Doug Bjerregaard, a substitute biology teacher at the Gunnison Valley High School in Utah who took his students to a local veterinary clinic to witness the cutting up of a living dog in an effort to "educate" them firsthand about human anatomy. We've received an overwhelming reaction from people who are outraged by this.

On May 13, the school district issued a formal apology for this experiment and stated that experiments like this will not be carried out in the future (for the school's response, please visit www.stopanimaltests.com/f-sanpete.asp). While we applaud this step in the right direction, we are encouraging the district to enact a policy prohibiting the use of all animals in its curriculum.

Instead of using animals to teach students the basics of human anatomy, teachers should use one of the following popular methods:

· Non-animal mannequins and simulators

· Educational videos

· Multimedia computer simulations

· Clinical practice and human-cadaver observation

Significant progressive strides have been made in reducing the number of animals who end up on school dissection tables. Many well-regarded schools, such as the University of Utah School of Medicine, no longer use live animals. And countless schools have incorporated the progressive animal-free learning tools listed above.

Superintendent James Petersen of Gunnison Valley High School's South Sanpete School District has welcomed PETA's requests to consider adopting alternatives. We look forward to working with Mr. Petersen, and we are grateful for his swift and compassionate decision.

To learn how to take a stand against cruel animal experiments in schools, please visit http://www.peta2.com/TAKECHARGE/t-dissection.asp.

Thank you for your compassion and concern for animals!

Sincerely,

The PETA Staff

 
Thank you for contacting ALDF about this unnecessary and outrageous "project" at a Utah veterinary clinic.  As you may know,
there are no Utah laws (or laws in any state) that make dissection illegal.  Certainly this was most inappropriate and completely
unnecessary, especially considering the wonderful computer models and other models available today to teach students about anatomy.

We have received the following email from the Humane Society of Utah, which we think articulates the problem well and includes information on how to write to the board of education there.  We strongly suggest that you write to them and get others to do so as well.
Thank you so much for your concern about this despicable act.

Eileen Stark
Anti-Cruelty Division

 

 

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