The primary researcher involved in a contentious cardiac study conducted on canines is now justifying the significance of his research for the first time after his laboratory in London, Ontario was closed down and the province’s leader threatened to prohibit dogs in experiments. Frank Prato spoke exclusively to CBC London following the clearance of all animal abuse accusations by two independent animal ethics committees.
Earlier in August, an expose by the Investigative Journalism Bureau and Postmedia unveiled that scientists from Lawson Research Institute were covertly inducing three-hour heart attacks in dogs and puppies at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London. The animals were then euthanized for further analysis. The research was shrouded in secrecy, with the animals reportedly transported in covered crates while loud music masked their sounds of distress, as per whistleblowers.
In response to public outrage, including criticism from Premier Doug Ford, who pledged to crack down on scientists conducting experiments on animals, St. Joseph’s terminated Prato’s research. The government also tabled legislation to prohibit invasive medical studies on cats and dogs.
Prato disputes claims of clandestine operations, asserting that he commenced using dogs to study post-heart attack conditions back in 1982 at the hospital. He argues that the dogs are fully sedated during the procedures and do not experience pain, unlike humans. Prato emphasizes the potential of the dog model in advancing the understanding of diseases like heart attacks and aiding in recovery, ultimately saving lives.
An external review conducted by Western University’s Animal Care Committee in September and the Canadian Council on Animal Care in October concluded that the allegations against Prato’s lab were unfounded. The investigations involved on-site inspections, record assessments, and detailed interviews with involved personnel, affirming that the research did not cause heart failure in the dogs, and they were pain-free throughout the study.
Prato highlights the appropriateness of the animal model and the significant global contributions of the research program to managing myocardial infarction patients. The dogs received attentive post-operative care, including regular monitoring by clinical veterinarians, social interactions, and appropriate living conditions.
Despite facing backlash that has impacted his professional and personal life, Prato remains focused on the potential repercussions on heart disease treatment advancements due to the cessation of such research. He emphasizes the similarities between human and canine cardiovascular systems and the necessity of using dogs as research subjects due to their heart structure and blood flow dynamics.
Prato’s team simulated heart attacks in dogs by restricting blood flow to a heart region, akin to a natural heart attack scenario, before restoring blood circulation. He acknowledges the emotional significance of dogs in society but stresses the importance of balancing ethical considerations with the potential benefits for cardiac patients.