Debate on an e-petition relating to the use of dogs in scientific and regulatory procedures

E-petition 705384 is open until 14 August 2025 and has, to date, received 234,370 signatures. It proposes the following:

“As a first step to end animal testing, we want an immediate ban for dogs. They are commercially bred in what we see as bleak and inhumane factory-like conditions. We believe there is evidence suggesting that dogs are left being unattended for extended periods in a Government-licenced establishment.”

The government responded to the petition on 5 March 2025. It said that it did not agree with an immediate ban, but that it would work towards phasing out animal testing as a long-term goal:

“The government does not agree to the proposed immediate ban as international guidance still requires data from animal testing to ensure the safety of medicines and products before testing in humans.

While the use of animals in science, including for human medicines, generates significant debate, the carefully regulated use of animals in scientific research remains necessary to protect humans, animal health and the wider environment. The Government therefore does not agree to immediately ban the use of dogs for testing and research purposes in the UK.

The manifesto committed the Government to partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing. This is a long-term goal, and it will need further scientific and technical advancement and validation to reach this point but we are determined to work towards it. Currently the use of animals remains important for understanding how biological systems work, in the development of safe new medicines, treatments and technologies, and in testing chemicals.”

The government response describes the UK’s commitment to the 3Rs principles: to, as far as possible, replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research.  It also notes that a strategy for working towards the use of alternative methods to animal testing is expected to be published later in 2025:

“The Government will take steps to place the UK at the forefront of an alternative methods revolution and we believe that scientific advances make the prospects for change better than they have ever been. We are supporting and accelerating advances in biomedical science and technologies to reduce reliance on the use of animals in research and importantly to avoid some of the scientific limitations of animal models of human diseases. This includes stem cell research, cell culture systems that mimic the function of human organs, imaging and new computer modelling and AI techniques based on very large data sets. DSIT [Department for Science, Innovation and Technology], Home Office and DEFRA [Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] Ministers have agreed to publish an alternative methods strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods and the phasing out of animal testing. We expect to publish this strategy later this year.”

This debate pack contains information on the legislation and regulation concerning research using protected animals, statistics, information on non-animal research methods, recent parliamentary material and useful links.