FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2012
Contact: Michael Budkie, SAEN, 513-575-5517

USDA Issues third set of Serious Violations against Santa Cruz Biotech; Another animal dies of Negligence during inspection
 
SANTA CRUZ, CA – Federal inspection reports obtained today reveal that the USDA has again cited Santa Cruz Biotech for major violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including the death of an animal which occurred during the most recent inspection.
 
A vitriolic 3-page 5/2/12 USDA inspection cited Santa Cruz Biotech (SCBT) for two more federal violations.   One violation was relevant to the death of an untreated goat from pneumonia, which took place during the USDA inspection. 
 
The second violation was for the 3 plus week long non-treatment of a goat for lameness, which may have been caused by a broken leg.  The animal was never even x-rayed in the intervening period.  The condition of this animal was initially reported during a 4/9/12 USDA inspection, and no treatment had been provided during the intervening period.
 
Research Watchdog SAEN has filed an Official Request for Animal Confiscation with the USDA. “This goat has been lame for over three weeks and received no treatment,” said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN.  “We believe that the lack of treatment despite notification by the USDA, the potential for additional serious injury, and the serious pain this animal must be enduring justify confiscation.  This goat should be removed from SCBT and never returned.”
 
SCBT has now amassed eight pages of violations in less than two months.  The USDA has documented many incidents of inadequate or almost non-existent veterinary care, and multiple animals have died.
 
Recently obtained USDA correspondence reveals that the Investigation and Enforcement Services division of the USDA has an ongoing case against the Santa Cruz lab.
 
All USDA inspection reports and correspondence are available upon request.
 
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See also:

• Santa Cruz Biotechnology Inc., Santa Cruz, CA
• Seizure Letter to USDA
• USDA - Inspection Report - 2 May 2012

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