According to figures published by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety , a total of 19,857 animal experiments took place in Northern Ireland in 2014. This is almost the exact same number of experiments carried out in 2013. Only 3% of experiments were reported to be required by regulators. The majority of experiments (49%) were driven by the curiosity of university researchers.

Animals used included;

• mice (10,032 experiments)
• chickens (2,376 experiments)
• cows (1,661 experiments)
• sheep (781 experiments)
• pigs (690 experiments)
• rats (605 experiments)
• rabbits (88 experiments)
• cats (72 experiments)
• dogs (156 experiments)
• amphibians (28 experiments)
• fish (165 experiments).

There was a large increase in the number of experiments carried out on dogs (113% compared to 2013). Over 6,000 animals were subjected to experiments considered to cause them “moderate” or “severe” suffering.

Dr Katy Taylor, Director of Science at Cruelty Free International, said: “The number of animals experimented on in Northern Irish laboratories, as revealed by these statistics, is unacceptable. Instead of continuing with these cruel and pointless experiments, with dubious potential benefits to human health, we urge researchers in Northern Ireland to shift their focus to more humane and human-relevant methods. Northern Ireland should be leading the way in reducing animal testing.”

In the Belfast Telegraph, Cruelty Free International has exposed research at Ulster University from 2014 in which mice were subjected to cruel and crude experiments.

Find out the latest actions you can take to help animals in laboratories.