Watchdog Group Calls for Veterinary Board investigation of South Dakota State University for sheep deaths

Press Release
From Stop Animal Exploitation NOW!
S. A. E. N.
"Exposing the truth to wipe out animal experimentation"



Thank you!

Please tell the South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to investigate South Dakota State University for the painful deaths of sheep.

Sam D. Holland, DVM, Executive Secretary
South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
411 S Fort Street
Pierre, SD  57501-4503 
(605) 773-3321
E-Mail: [email protected]

Please tell the USDA to levy a fine against South Dakota State University for the painful deaths of sheep.

Contact Dr. Robert Gibbens
Director, Western Region
USDA/APHIS/AC
2150 Center Ave., Building B
Mailstop 3W11
Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117
(970) 494-7478
[email protected]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Contact: Michael Budkie, SAEN, 513-575-5517; 513-703-9865 (cell)

Watchdog Group Calls for Veterinary Board investigation of South Dakota State University for sheep deaths

PIERRE/BROOKINGS, SD  – A National Research Watchdog Group, SAEN, has filed a complaint with the South Dakota Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (located in Pierre) against the South Dakota State University.  The complaint requests an investigation into the improper deaths of sheep in a research experiment.

SAEN has previously filed a federal complaint against South Dakota State University for multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act, and is calling for a federal investigation by the USDA and a significant fine for the use of non-AVMA euthanasia methods.

A recent USDA inspection report dated 9/26/13 cites the South Dakota State University for two  non-compliances with the Animal Welfare Act.  Chief among the violations was failure to properly anesthetize sheep during painful euthanasia procedures.

The remaining violation in the USDA inspection was for a facility that was in obvious disrepair, with a collapsing roof and exposed nails.

Negligence at the South Dakota State University caused animals to die painfully without adequate anesthesia,” said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN.   “Serious animal abuse like this must be severely punished.”

SAEN has also requested additional USDA citations against South Dakota State University for violations of Section 2.33 Adequate Veterinary Care and 2.32 Personnel Qualifications relevant to the improper euthanasia procedures, as well as a federal fine.

"Anyone should know that proper euthanasia methods require adequate anesthesia," added Budkie.  "Practices like this fail to meet American Veterinary Medical Association standards for proper euthanasia and must be penalized."

The USDA inspection report and relevant documentation is available upon request from SAEN.

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