Records show researchers in London, Ont., received approval to use up to 225 dogs over four years for cardiac research experiments and mentioned euthanasia as the endpoint for the animals.
The approval forms part of an animal-use protocol for cardiac laboratory research, carried out at the Lawson Research Institute, part of St. Joseph’s Health Care London. The document lists 225 dogs requested over four years, falling into the criteria for “Category D,” which the Canadian Council on Animal Care defines as experiments with moderate to severe distress or discomfort.
The protocol outlines an endpoint method involving a drug overdose of potassium chloride administered under anesthesia, a standard euthanasia practice in veterinary medicine.
Following procedures, the documents also state that animals involved in the experiments were euthanized so scientists could examine their heart tissue.
What the research protocol shows
It was reviewed by Dr. Charu Chandrasekera, founder, Canadian Institute for Animal-Free Science and a scientist specializing in animal research and alternatives, of the protocol documents.
“In animal-use protocols there is an area that asks the researcher for the number of animals requested,” Chandrasekera said. “It is saying the number of dogs requested on this particular case: 225 over four years.”
Animal-use protocols are approved before research starts and determine how many animals are allowed to have been used, not necessarily the number that ends up being used in experiments.
A dog inside a research facility linked to St. Joseph’s Health Care London. The image was provided by a whistleblower who raised concerns about canine research.
According to Chandrasekera, the documents reviewed by XFM News do not indicate the true numbers of dogs used in the research.
“I don’t know how many have been used,” she said. The number of dogs used each year was not clearly specified. That information would typically come in the form of laboratory notebooks, which we don’t have access to.”
But the protocol says that the animals in the experiments would be euthanized after that.
“Regarding the protocols, all these animals were meant to be euthanized at the end of the experiments as the researchers had to examine the heart tissues of these animals,” Chandrasekera said.
The public’s protests and reaction
Protests in London over the past year have been sparked by the research.
Activists associated with the organization Release the Dogs have held demonstrations in front of Western University facilities demanding an end to the dog testing associated with the cardiac research program.
The protests kicked off with public exposure of internal details of the experiments, which sparked discussion around the use of dogs in medical research.
Opponents say these types of experiments are outdated and unnecessary; advocates of animal research say they can tell us something valuable about humans.
Whistleblower describes conditions inside facility
Controversy swelled after a whistleblower linked to the program revealed documents and photos shared from within the research center.
The whistleblower told XFM News , that they had seen experiments with dogs, in which they are used to study heart attacks.
“From the second I began coming to the facility, the conditions, in my view, were extremely deplorable,” the whistleblower said. “Give healthy young dogs a heart attack and kill them a few days later, that alone made me think this shouldn’t be allowed.”
The whistleblower also reported changes in the behavioural habits of the animals in accordance with the procedures.
Dog inside a research facility linked to St. Joseph’s Health Care London. Image provided by a whistleblower.
“These dogs are sentient animals,” the whistleblower said. “They’re bonded with each other, and know when another dog has died. She wouldn’t stop screaming until one of us went into her kennel and held her.”
The whistleblower also claimed the independent review commissioned by the hospital did not reflect what they had seen.
“The independent assessments don’t match what I saw,” the whistleblower said. “They didn’t see what I saw.”
Hospital response and those who are still dogs
St. Joseph’s Health Care London refused an interview but answered questions in writing when pressed about the documents.
The hospital also said it could not verify the documents or sources of the documents.
“We cannot verify this document or the source of it, so we aren’t able to answer these questions,” the statement said.
The research using dogs at the Lawson Research Institute concluded Aug. 11, 2025, the hospital said.
The animals received transferred ownership to Western University’s Animal Care Committee.
“After conducting a comprehensive review and consideration; ACC arranged to ensure the 8 dogs are transitioned to an identified and certified agency for adoption.”
“Six dogs were transferred to this organization on Sept. 10, 2025. The two remaining dogs continue to do well in each other’s company and remain under excellent care until they can be transferred.”
Debate continues over animal research
St. Joseph’s cited an independent third-party review of the research program, which concluded that the work complied with regulations and ethical standards.
But critics point out, the protocol documents raise bigger questions about the amount of animal research approved for the program.
Chandrasekera said the protocols reflect the extent of the authorized experiments.
“The papers show that an experimental program with a maximum of 225 dogs is sanctioned,” she said. “The question most people are now asking is whether studies like this are still needed,” she said.
The argument over animal testing continues around Canada, as politicians, activists, and researchers debate whether medical research involving animals should continue.
