Many pro-animal activists were angry about Laika's treatment in space, but the American officials said nothing. Why did they keep silent?

The American officials likely remained silent on the issue of Laika's treatment in space for a few reasons:

1. Cold War Politics: During the time of Laika's launch in 1957, the United States and the Soviet Union were in the midst of the Cold War. The space race was a significant aspect of this conflict. Criticizing the Soviet Union's treatment of Laika could have been seen as a political move, potentially escalating tensions.

2. Space Race Competition: The United States was also engaged in space exploration and was in direct competition with the Soviet Union. They might not have wanted to draw attention to the ethical issues surrounding the use of animals in space exploration, as they were also using animals in similar experiments.

3. Lack of Animal Rights Legislation: In the 1950s, there was less awareness and fewer laws about animal rights compared to today. The officials might not have seen the treatment of Laika as an issue worth commenting on.

4. Limited Information: The full details of Laika's suffering were not disclosed until decades later. The American officials at the time may not have been fully aware of the extent of Laika's mistreatment.

Please note that these are potential reasons and the actual motivations of the American officials at the time may have been different or more complex.