Washington State University (WSU) acknowledged intense scrutiny surrounding its veterinary elective in large animal surgery after receiving a surge of threatening communications.
Citing safety risks to students, faculty, staff and animals, the university canceled the equine component of its large animal surgery course for the spring term and will not bring eight horses to campus. The move aligns with a previously planned phaseout of the course’s equine segment after this spring, as the college shifts toward clinical training and advanced simulation.
The decision comes after animal activist groups, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Our Honor, claimed that the horses and 60 goats faced unnecessary euthanasia following practice surgeries by veterinary students. They said sanctuaries are available and urged the university to adopt non-terminal training models already used by many veterinary schools nationwide.
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