By CARLA K. JOHNSON Associated Press Writer
Published on Monday Jul 21, 2008
A dozen animals died during experiments at Loyola University's
medical school between 2006-2007, the result of untrained lab workers
and inadequate care, according to federal documents.
U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors cited Loyola's Stritch
School of Medicine in suburban Maywood for 22 violations during three
inspections from March 2006 through November 2007, according to USDA
reports obtained by the Milford, Ohio-based animal rights group Stop
Animal Exploitation Now.
The group's executive director, Michael Budkie, released the reports
Monday.
In one instance cited by the USDA in November 2007, a lab worker
collecting bone marrow from a rabbit's leg apparently broke the bone and
the rabbit was found dead the next day. In another from January 2007,
five dogs died after being left without care or monitoring overnight
just after surgery.
The research in question was halted and problems were corrected, said
Loyola spokesman Jim Ritter. USDA spokeswoman Jessica Milteer said
inspectors returned to Loyola this May and found problems resolved. No
fines were issued, but Loyola did get a warning letter, she said.
Still, Budkie faulted Loyola for repeat violations over three
inspections in 2006 and 2007.
"If the facility was following even the minimal requirements of the
Animal Welfare Act, these things never should have happened in the first
place," Budkie said.
Treating research animals humanely is a top priority at Loyola, said
a written statement released by the university.
See:
Loyola University, Maywood, IL for more information