Jay Bhattacharya Confirms Beagle Lab Closure, Gets Flowers From PETA

Photo: Fox News

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya received an unexpected gesture after announcing the closure of the agency’s last in-house beagle research lab: a bouquet of flowers from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

“Normally, I think NIH directors tend to get physical threats, but they sent me flowers,” Bhattacharya remarked during a Fox News interview, acknowledging the organization’s rare note of appreciation.

The closure of the lab, located on the NIH campus, came just days after Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief Elon Musk posted that his agency would investigate federal funding for experiments on beagles.

The now-shuttered facility had drawn criticism over the years for controversial sepsis research involving dogs—procedures that included infecting more than 2,000 beagles with pneumonia-causing bacteria, draining their blood, and inducing septic shock.

Following the announcement, PETA welcomed the move. “We are delighted by the news of the NIH facility closure,” Kathy Guillermo, senior vice president of PETA’s laboratory investigations, “We are letting the new NIH director know how important this step is for modernizing science.”

While PETA has praised Bhattacharya’s early efforts, Guillermo noted that the broader issue of animal testing remains. “Dr. Bhattacharya has made a wonderful start, and there is a lot more work to be done,” she said. “Animals are still being experimented on, including beagles and other dogs, across the country. So we’re looking forward to what comes next.”

PETA said it is now awaiting further information on the condition of the beagles previously held at the lab. If any are fit for adoption, the organization has offered to assist in placing them in homes.