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Letter of Complaint to the USDA about the University of California,
Davis
10/16/09 Dr. Robert Gibbens Dr. Gibbens, I am contacting you today regarding documents in my possession which
are relevant to the University of California, Davis. I am very concerned about the high number of wounds and traumatic
injuries that are reported at this facility which have lead to the
deaths of 14 primates from June of 2008 through April of 2009. The
number of traumatic deaths is high that I believe situations exist at
this facility which violate these sections of the animal welfare act:
2.33 (b) Each research facility shall establish
and maintain programs of adequate veterinary care that include: And: 2.31 (d) IACUC review of activities involving
animals. (1) In order to approve proposed activities or proposed
significant changes in ongoing activities, the IACUC shall conduct a
review of those components of the activities related to the care and use
of animals and determine that the proposed activities are in accordance
with this subchapter unless acceptable justification for a departure is
presented in writing; Provided, however, That field studies as defined
in part 1 of this subchapter are exempt from this requirement. Further,
the IACUC shall determine that the proposed activities or significant
changes in ongoing activities meet the following requirements: The statements made in the necropsy reports for these 14 animals pain
a gruesome picture. The necropsy report for primate MMU 34695 states the
he suffered from “Extensive, severe lacerations/crush trauma” and “This
animal succumbed to the effects of severe cagemate induced trauma . . .
“ Primate MMU 38475 had “extensive musculocutaneous trauma, including an
open wound on the right elbow with an exposed fragment of the coronoid
process and multiple severed fingers and toes” and “This animal was
likely the subject intense dislike from cagemates resulting in
violence.” The post mortem records of the remaining twelve primates are
sprinkled with similar statements indicating a high level of violence
experienced by the primates within this facility. It is unclear if this violence comes from other primates, or from
human caretakers. In either case, primates within a controlled facility
should not die from these kinds of injuries. This is a clear violation
of several sections of the Animal Welfare Act. Sincerely,
Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., See: University of California, Davis Return to Articles and Reports |
