But it is not just pigs. Animal rights group PETA claims live dogs are also used in similar experiments.

The ghastly practice was revealed by the scientists themselves in the International Journal Of Crashworthiness.

They said they used the pigs because they were similar in size to young children.

"A total of 15 whole-body sled tests were performed, for 15 immature pigs corresponding to children aged 6 years old," the journal article states.

The article then describes the pigs being smashed into a wall at speeds of up to 50km/h.

"The detected injuries were abrasion, contusion, laceration, bleeding and fracture.