Puppies and kittens could be clubbed to death under new European Union regulations on the welfare of laboratory animals.
Currently, newborn puppies, kittens, ferrets and fox cubs which are not needed for scientific research are put to sleep. But rules due to become law in the UK by 2013 sanction killing by a 'percussive blow to the head'.
Animal welfare charities have described the technique as 'officially sanctioned cruelty'. And they have accused the Government of bowing to the wishes of drug companies anxious to cut costs.