http://mynorthwest.com/11/668499/Watchdog-group-reveals-injuries-deaths-of-UW-research-animals

Watchdog group reveals injuries, deaths of UW research animals

By Tim Haeck, Northwest.com, Friday, April 27, 2012

An animal rights group is demanding an investigation of the University of Washington primate center for its treatment of research animals.

Using the UW's own records, the Ohio-based group Stop Animal Exploitation Now filed a federal animal welfare complaint, citing 21 problems at the lab in the last two years.

The records show that monkeys escaped their cages and some were injured, including tips of fingers or toes ripped off. Two monkeys died after medical procedures.

A spokesman for the UW facility says escapes most often happen during frequent transfers between cages.

The UW lab houses hundreds of animals used in research. It's the largest lab of its kind in the nation.

A spokesman for the Agriculture Department, which regulates the treatment of research animals, says it will consider the complaint adding it's too early to know if the UW violated the federal Animal Welfare Act.

See also:

• University of Washington, Seattle, WA

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