City Of Duncan Selling Dead Animals For Science

Dead animals sold in the name of science. Once a city has to euthanize a dog or cat, companies can buy the carcasses for research. The city of Duncan views the process as a positive from something negative, but not everyone agrees.

Duncan has been making these transactions for nearly five years. But just recently the city signed a deal with a second company and that's when some residents first got word.

Owning a business on Main Street has opened conversations for Ron Miller. So when the city's sale of euthanized dogs and cats became the topic of discussion, he questioned why he didn't already know.

"The city needs money to operate. I get that. But if it's going to do something like this, just tell us, simple," said Red Dirt Apparel Owner, Ron Miller.

"Public hearing at the council meeting and that's posted," said Duncan City Police Chief, Danny Ford.

Two Companies contracted with the city and pay $2 - $5 per qualified dog or cat which, in return uses the bodies for classroom research.

Ford first proposed the offer after being contacted by the companies.

"Death is never a positive, but if it can be educational, we think it's a plus," said Ford.

Ford also sees finances as a plus.

"Provide some income that would otherwise be no income," said Ford.

But the Humane society's Cynthia Armstrong points to other programs that could help the city care for its animals and calls for cremation or burial. It's the transaction of carcasses for cash that dilutes trust in the city.

"It really calls into question the true mission of the animal shelter and it destroys public confidence in the sincerity of the mission," said Armstrong.

The funds from the sales go directly to the general fund and then partially redirected from there. Miller just wants to be reassured the research is legitimate.

"Of the limited options, it's no worse than the others,” said Miller.

Ford also mentioned the City of Duncan has nothing investment in the program. The company supplies the freezers and the transportation.

PETA also commented on the matter, and the Humane Society agrees, that classrooms should rely on more effective technology, not the overpopulation of animals for research.