PETA India uncovers bloodied dogs, dead piglets and infected monkeys at major Hyderabad lab
Hyderabad: A whistleblower exposé released by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has uncovered serious allegations of animal abuse at Palamur Biosciences Pvt. Ltd., a contract testing laboratory based in Telangana. The facility, which conducts drug, pesticide, and medical device testing for Indian and international clients, is government-registered and claims to be one of India’s largest preclinical service providers.
According to whistleblowers who contacted PETA India, the laboratory routinely subjected animals including beagles, rhesus macaques, and Göttingen minipigs to overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, painful procedures, and neglect. The report details how these animals suffered physical harm and psychological distress while being used in experiments.
One of the key allegations is severe overcrowding. Whistleblowers report that the facility kept approximately 1,500 beagles in a space designed for around 800, forcing three to four dogs into cages intended for two. This led to frequent fights, with injuries particularly to the dogs' ears. Despite visible wounds, the facility reportedly failed to provide basic care such as cleaning and pain management.
Staff were also accused of handling dogs roughly. Reports describe animals being kicked and injured when cage doors were carelessly closed on their legs, leading in some cases to fractures. In experiments, dogs were injected with test compounds under the skin. These injections allegedly caused infections that developed into abscesses, leaving the animals with open wounds and severe pain. Whistleblowers described cases where these injuries impaired mobility and caused significant weight loss.
The report also includes accounts of dogs suffering from ulcers in their mouths and intestines. Visual documentation reportedly shows some dogs lying in pools of blood. The facility was said to use thiopentone for euthanasia without sedating the animals beforehand, causing unnecessary distress during the process.
In another incident, the facility allegedly imported Gottingen minipigs from Denmark without a breeding license. When a pig gave birth, the head veterinarian reportedly ordered the killing of eight to ten piglets by intracardiac injection, a painful method if done without anesthesia.
Although a policy required enrichment activities for pigs, whistleblowers stated that these were only provided during client visits. At other times, the pigs remained confined to cages and were only handled for experiments.
There are also serious concerns regarding the use of wild rhesus macaques obtained from a supplier in Rajasthan. Some monkeys reportedly tested positive for zoonotic pathogens, possibly monkeypox. Rather than informing authorities, the company allegedly killed the infected monkeys while continuing to use others in experiments, posing a potential public health risk to staff and the surrounding community.
Dr. Anjana Aggarwal, Scientist and Research Policy Advisor at PETA India, stated that the findings expose the hidden conditions inside India’s contract testing laboratories. She called for immediate regulatory action and said that failure to shut down the facility would allow the abuse to continue.
PETA India has submitted formal complaints to the Committee for the Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA), the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), and the National GLP Compliance Monitoring Authority (NGCMA). The group is calling for the cancellation of Palamur Biosciences' license to conduct animal testing, legal action under applicable laws, and the rehabilitation of animals who have survived the experiments.
PETA India reiterated its position that animals should not be used for testing and highlighted the need for urgent reforms in how animal testing is regulated in the country.