The chief researcher involved in a contentious heart study conducted on canines has spoken out in defense of the significance of his research for the first time since his laboratory in London, Ontario was closed, and the provincial premier threatened to outlaw dogs in research. Frank Prato granted an exclusive interview to CBC London after being cleared of all allegations of animal abuse by two separate animal ethics committees.
An investigative report in August by the Investigative Journalism Bureau and Postmedia unveiled that scientists at Lawson Research Institute were clandestinely inducing three-hour heart attacks in dogs and puppies at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London. The animals were then euthanized, and their hearts were extracted for further examination. The research was shrouded in secrecy, with the animals reportedly transported to the hospital in covered crates to muffle their barking, as per whistleblowers.
Following public outrage, including criticism from Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford, who vowed to crack down on scientists conducting experiments on animals, St. Joseph’s terminated Prato’s research. Premier Ford also proposed legislation to prohibit “invasive medical research” on cats and dogs.
Prato disputes the notion that his work was conducted covertly, emphasizing that he began utilizing dogs to study post-heart attack effects in 1982 at the hospital. He asserts that the dogs were fully anesthetized and did not experience pain, unlike humans, during heart attacks. Prato believes his research has significant potential in understanding heart diseases and aiding recovery, ultimately saving numerous lives.
A review by Western University’s Animal Care Committee in September and the Canadian Council on Animal Care in October found no evidence of wrongdoing in Prato’s lab, concluding that the research adhered to approved protocols and regulatory standards. The investigations confirmed that the study did not induce heart failure, and the dogs did not experience pain during the procedures.
In the aftermath of surgery, the university review revealed that the dogs received attentive care, with regular monitoring by a clinical veterinarian, socialization activities, appropriate bedding, toys, and nutrition. Prato highlighted the vital contributions of the animal model to global advancements in managing myocardial infarction patients.
Prato defends the use of dogs in his research, citing their anatomical similarities to human hearts and the necessity of their cardiovascular systems for studying heart disease treatments. He explained that dogs were selected due to their resemblance to human cardiac systems, asserting that their blood vessel architecture made them the ideal model for studying heart-related technologies.
Despite facing repercussions in both his professional and personal life, Prato remains focused on the potential impact on cardiac patients, expressing concern over the prioritization of one dog’s life over the well-being of numerous patients.