Ann Arbor, MI (August 14, 2025) — Together with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) called on the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) today to investigate Wayne State University for killing a healthy, adoptable dog instead of offering him the chance at a home—an action that appears to violate Section 287.388a of Michigan Public Act 224—commonly known as Teddy’s Law, Michigan legislation re
quiring the adoption of dogs and cats used in laboratory experiments.
Recently obtained records show that in 2024, Wayne State killed “dog 3002,” a brown-and-white hound who spent 14 months confined in a windowless basement cage.
A consulting veterinarian, Dr. Robin Chadwin, reviewed dog 3002’s records and concluded that “euthanasia was not the appropriate outcome.” The records reveal that Wayne State killed the dog because he would not run on a treadmill for their heart failure experiments, and because of a small cut on his paw that was improperly treated plus a misdiagnosed skin condition.
“This dog was healthy enough to be placed in a loving home, and we would have been more than willing to help,” said HSHV President and CEO Tanya Hilgendorf. “Wayne State never gave us the opportunity. It’s heartbreaking and unacceptable that he was denied the second chance the law was meant to ensure. We know there are many compassionate families ready to give these dogs a loving home.”
Though purchased for experimentation, records show dog 3002 never underwent surgery.
“Standard procedure in Wayne State’s decades-long dog experiments involves cutting open the animals’ chest cavities, implanting devices around major blood vessels and hearts, tunneling cables under their skin, and forcing them to run on treadmills while their heart rates are artificially elevated—often until they die from complications,” said Ryan Merkley, director of research advocacy for the Physicians Committee. “The experiments are purposely designed to kill the dogs.”
Public records show that dogs in these studies frequently suffer severe infections, internal bleeding, and respiratory distress. Some have been found dead in their cages. The experiments have drawn bipartisan criticism and bring renewed attention to pending state legislation—HB 4254 and SB 127, known as Queenie’s Law—which would ban painful dog experiments at publicly funded institutions.
HSHV has a long history of finding loving homes for animals and even with a full shelter stands ready to help laboratories comply with Teddy’s Law.
“This is exactly why Teddy’s Law exists—to make sure that dogs and cats used in experiments get a chance to experience comfort, safety, and love,” Hilgendorf said. “It’s the very least of what we owe them.”
###
About The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV):
The Humane Society of Huron Valley, located in Ann Arbor, is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and relies solely on the generosity of our supporters to provide critical community programs and services. HSHV is an award-winning organization, recognized for our best practices and highest animal “save-rate” among all similar shelters in Michigan. Charity Navigator, the nation’s top charity evaluator, awarded HSHV a 4-star ranking, the highest possible. The mission of HSHV is to promote the loving, responsible care of all animals in our community. HSHV is not affiliated with any other humane organization and does not receive funding from the United Way. More information can be found on HSHV’s website (hshv.org) and on our annual report (hshv.org/annualreport).