Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pledged to investigate more than $57 million in contracts involving animal testing at the Department of Defense, following a report that revealed extensive use of dogs and cats in military experiments.
In an exclusive statement to investigative reporter Laura Loomer, Hegseth said he was not previously aware of the contracts but would immediately review them. The revelation comes after watchdog group White Coat Waste exposed multiple agreements—primarily tied to the U.S. Army—that fund painful experiments using animals.
“This is news to me,” Hegseth told Loomer during her broadcast on Loomer Unleashed. “We will be reviewing all of the animal testing contracts to make sure DOD is in full compliance with President Trump’s directives.”
Public outrage over Pentagon’s animal testing
The disclosures sparked immediate backlash from animal welfare advocates and fiscal conservatives, who questioned how tens of millions in taxpayer dollars were approved for controversial procedures involving pets. Images and project details circulated by activists reportedly show dogs and cats subjected to invasive testing, often with limited oversight or clear benefit.
Loomer asked Hegseth whether he supports legislative language in the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would prohibit such experiments unless the Secretary of Defense personally signs off.
“I will review the language,” Hegseth said, adding that “DOD is committed to this, for sure.”
Growing pressure to shut down military lab experiments
The Department of Defense is now under mounting pressure to cancel or significantly restrict future contracts involving animal testing. Several lawmakers have called the funding a misuse of public money, especially since many of the tests have not resulted in life-saving breakthroughs or practical applications for service members.
Animal rights groups say these procedures are cruel and outdated, and that alternatives like computer modeling and tissue simulation should replace the need for live subjects.
White Coat Waste’s report has already gained traction in conservative circles and among pro-animal lawmakers. The organization claims nearly all current DOD testing contracts involving dogs and cats are routed through the U.S. Army, making it a central focus of the investigation Hegseth now promises to conduct.
Will Hegseth terminate the contracts?
Hegseth has yet to confirm whether he will support terminating the contracts entirely. However, his statement marks the first time the Defense Department has publicly addressed the findings since the report surfaced.
Loomer closed her remarks by thanking the Secretary and urging him to end taxpayer-funded animal abuse, stating that Americans deserve to know how their money is being spent.
With the public now watching closely and Congress gearing up to vote on NDAA provisions, Hegseth may soon be forced to choose between defending existing military research or taking bold action to shut it down.
And if his review confirms what critics fear, the fallout could ripple across the Pentagon’s most protected research programs.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.