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VALLEY CENTER, Calif. -
Animal rights groups are asking the U.S. military to stop at training program that involves shooting and killing live pigs.
The so-called live tissue training is being conducted at a private avocado ranch in Valley Center. County officials first learned of the training when a neighbor called to complain of loud noise coming the ranch. When officials arrived to investigate, they realized the avocado grove was being used for troop medical training.
Authorities said the pigs are given an anesthetic before being shot. Soldiers and medics then practice treating the wounded pigs to simulate treating trauma victims on the battlefield. After the training ends, the animals are euthanized, county officials said. Animal rights groups want the training to stop.
"The mutilating and killing of animals for trauma training exercise is absolutely unethical and inhumane," said Christina Tacoronti, with the Animal Protection and Rescue League in Hillcrest.
Tacoronti said People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has filed complaints at 17 military bases across the country alleging violations of Department of Defense regulations on animal welfare. PETA is asking the military to stop Valley Center exercises and develop alternative training methods. One alternative uses mannequins controlled by computers, Tacoronti said.
"The mannequin even has lifelike fluids and blood," said Tacoronti.
The training is funded by the Marines, but officials at Camp Pendleton did not return calls requesting comment. However, a representative of San Diego Congressman Duncan Hunter said the Hunter supports the use of pigs for trauma training.
"The training (troops) receive, whether it's medical or weapons-based, is critical to their success and safety. In the case of live tissue training, corpsmen and Marines are given the opportunity to experience situations that prepare them to save lives on the battlefield," the representative said in a written statement.
The so-called live tissue training is being conducted at a private avocado ranch in Valley Center. County officials first learned of the training when a neighbor called to complain of loud noise coming the ranch. When officials arrived to investigate, they realized the avocado grove was being used for troop medical training.
Authorities said the pigs are given an anesthetic before being shot. Soldiers and medics then practice treating the wounded pigs to simulate treating trauma victims on the battlefield. After the training ends, the animals are euthanized, county officials said. Animal rights groups want the training to stop.
"The mutilating and killing of animals for trauma training exercise is absolutely unethical and inhumane," said Christina Tacoronti, with the Animal Protection and Rescue League in Hillcrest.
Tacoronti said People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has filed complaints at 17 military bases across the country alleging violations of Department of Defense regulations on animal welfare. PETA is asking the military to stop Valley Center exercises and develop alternative training methods. One alternative uses mannequins controlled by computers, Tacoronti said.
"The mannequin even has lifelike fluids and blood," said Tacoronti.
The training is funded by the Marines, but officials at Camp Pendleton did not return calls requesting comment. However, a representative of San Diego Congressman Duncan Hunter said the Hunter supports the use of pigs for trauma training.
"The training (troops) receive, whether it's medical or weapons-based, is critical to their success and safety. In the case of live tissue training, corpsmen and Marines are given the opportunity to experience situations that prepare them to save lives on the battlefield," the representative said in a written statement.
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