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Letter of Complaint to the USDA about AWA Violations at the University of Wisconsin
2/16/09 Dr. Elizabeth Goldentyer Dr. Goldentyer, I am contacting you today in reference to the University of
Wisconsin, Madison. I have recently received documentation (attached)
which includes the health care records for several primates. These
records reveal several violations in the areas of inadequate veterinary
care, inadequate enclosures, and improperly trained personnel. The record for the primate named Conrad reveal that this animal has
suffered from a long series of bacterial infections and abscesses. The
most serious issue relates to a deep tooth abscess that was first
suspected on 10/17/06. This condition is again mentioned on 11/13/06
when the record suggests that further assessment be done, including an
x-ray to discover the condition of the jaw. This condition is not
discussed again until 1/22/07 when the record discusses a �chronic sore
L Lower Jaw. Can palpate bone damage under lesion. Suspect deep tooth
abscess with mandible damage. Tooth extraction, surgical repair
recommended.� No tooth extractions were performed until 2/5/07. Clearly,
this animal was allowed to suffer unnecessary pain due to an untreated
tooth abscess that was allowed to progress to a point where the mandible
was damaged. The records for the primates named Aldrin and Shepard discuss the
escape of another primate (Glen) on 6/29/07. During this escape both
Aldrin and Shepard were severely injured by Glen. Shepard�s record
reveals that he had a �large laceration on R palm � extending from
between the 3rd & 4th finger to the wrist.� Aldrin�s record states that
his hand received �major trauma, unable to repair. Amputated finger at
1st phalangeal/metacarpal joint.� It is very surprising that Glen�s record for the relevant period does
not even mention that he escaped. Shepard�s record also reveals that during a surgical procedure on
7/24/07 UW staff �Accidentally burned his forehead with soldering iron.�
It is also clear that these animals would have experienced
substantial pain and distress and should have been reported as such on
the annual report filed by this faciliy. It is very clear from this information that the primates at the
University of Wisconsin do not receive adequate veterinary care, their
enclosures are not adequate, or the staff are careless enough to leave
them open allowing serious injuries to other animals. Additionally, the
negligence that caused another primate to be burned during a surgical
procedure is shocking. I officially request that you initiate an immediate investigation of
these incidents and that you levy the largest fine allowable by law
against the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Sincerely,
Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Sec. 2.33 Attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care. (b) Each research facility shall establish and maintain programs of
adequate veterinary care that include: Sec. 2.36 Annual report. (7) State the common names and the numbers of animals upon which teaching, experiments, research, surgery, or tests were conducted involving accompanying pain or distress to the animals and for which the use of appropriate anesthetic, analgesic, or tranquilizing drugs would have adversely affected the procedures, results, or interpretation of the teaching, research, experiments, surgery, or tests. An explanation of the procedures producing pain or distress in these animals and the reasons such drugs were not used shall be attached to the annual report; Sec. 3.75 See also University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI Return to Articles and Reports |
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