The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Suez Canal University has referred an incident involving the slaughter of a dog on campus to the university's Research Ethics Committee for investigation and to take necessary legal actions. According to the university, the incident occurred several years ago but was recently brought to light through a viral video on social media. The video shows the dog being taken near the college's farm.
In a statement, the university explained that the incident took place on a day off several years ago when a farm worker sought help from Dr. Saeed Ahmed Mohamed, head of the Anatomy Department, regarding a dog near the college farm showing suspicious behavior. The dog exhibited symptoms that could indicate rabies, including attempting to bite objects, self-aggression, excessive salivation, and difficulty moving its hind legs.
The university handled the situation as a suspected rabies case, taking precautions to prevent the animal from coming into contact with people or other animals on the farm. The dog was isolated in the Anatomy Department to prevent potential transmission of the disease to other animals on the farm or free-roaming dogs on campus.
During the 72-hour observation period, the dog refused to eat or drink, prompting a decision to administer anesthesia and carry out humane euthanasia in accordance with approved veterinary procedures. Tissue samples were taken for pathological examination, and the dog was then given a sanitary burial to prevent scavenging by stray animals and birds and to contain potential spread of the virus.
The viral video sparked widespread attention and prompted the university to release a statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the incident and the actions taken at the time. The university emphasized its commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics in scientific research and ensuring that all incidents are thoroughly investigated.
The Research Ethics Committee at the university will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and take necessary actions based on the findings. The university's decision to refer the matter to the ethics committee demonstrates its commitment to transparency and accountability.
The incident highlights the importance of maintaining high standards of animal welfare and ethics in scientific research. The university's actions in this case demonstrate its dedication to upholding these standards and ensuring that all incidents are handled in a responsible and transparent manner.
Key points
- The incident is under investigation by the Research Ethics Committee at Suez Canal University.
- The university took precautions to prevent potential transmission of disease during the incident.
- The dog was handled in accordance with approved veterinary procedures.
