Animal lovers have been left outraged after it has been revealed that a total of 36 beagles will be killed after they were forced fed pesticides as part of an experiment in Michigan.
According to the New York Daily News, the dogs who have been tested on over the past year are to be euthanized in order for scientists to examine their organs.
Although many of the dogs are expected to die due to the effects of the pesticides, many will be put to sleep as the lab conducting the tests say they must examine the dogs organs to see how the pesticides has affected them and if they pose any dangers to humans.
The experiments has caused outrage amongst animal rights groups, who say the testing is cruel and unnecessary.
It is believed that the Humane Society of America has already launched a petition to save the dogs lives and have gained over 140,000 signatures.
In the petition the society say that there are safer and more effective ways to do such testing and that the dogs involved have been cruely exploited.
The society also say the dogs used for testing are often used for such testing as their loyal behaviour is often manipulated and they are less likely to to fight back.
New York Daily News, say Dow AgroSciences, who commissioned testing have said the dogs must be euthanized in order to comply with Brazilian regulations as the pesticides are to be sold there.
However the Humane Society have since revealed that they have received assurances that the Brazilian authorities involved are willing to sign waivers that will allow the dogs to live.
It is unfortunately expected that the surviving beagle dogs will be euthanized in July once the experiment ends.