Pigs Shot To Train US Soldiers

Sky News
Jul. 24, 2008

The US Army has defended a practice of shooting live pigs as part of a medical training exercise for soldiers heading to Iraq.
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The military says the practice teaches troops emergency lifesaving skills needed on the battlefield when there are no doctors or medical facilities nearby.

"It's to teach Army personnel how to manage critically injured patients within the first few hours of their injury," said Major Derrick Cheng, spokesman for the 25th Infantry Division.

But animal cruelty organisation Peta has labelled the practice outdated and unnecessary and have urged the Army to rethink the plan.

"There's absolutely no reason why they have to shoot live pigs," spokeswoman Holly Beal said.

Peta said the training was brought to their attention by a "distraught" soldier who told them of plans to shoot the pigs with M4 carbines and M16 rifles.

The organisation said there were more humane options available, including high-tech human simulators.

But Major Cheng said shooting pigs was the best option.

"Those alternative methods just can't replicate what the troops are going to face when we use live-tissue training," he said.

"What we're doing is unique to what the soldiers are going to actually experience."

He added that the pigs were anaesthetised for the drill.

"We understand (Peta's) concerns and point of view. At the same, the Army is committed to providing the soldiers with the best training possible," he said.

Determined to halt the exercise, Peta has asked its two million members to flood the Army with calls and emails.