http://www.klfy.com/story/27520421/ul-lafayette-facility-accused-of-animal-abuse

UL Lafayette facility accused of animal abuse

By Brheanna Berry, KLFY.com, Tuesday, December 2, 2014 

Stop Animal Exploitation Now! says the UL Lafayette incidents are part of a pattern of negligence and abuse in U.S. research facilities. The group filed an official complaint with the USDA. They are calling for a major penalty to be brought down on the university.

“There was a very significant electrical problem with this enclosure. The current was so strong that the monkey was killed and the situation was not alleviated before staff went in to retrieve the animals body and they were electrically shocked as well," said SAEN Co-founder and Executive Director Michael Budkie

The second incident occurred in November 2013. A lab technician was attempting to capture a 2-year old female pigtail macaque for a routine check-up. During the attempt the tech grabbed the animals hind leg which resulted in a fracture. Due to the age and severity of the injury vet staff had to amputate the young monkeys limb.

“Obviously we want to see the USDA take an appropriate enforcement action, because when a facility breaks the law they deserve to be punished," said Budkie

This isn't the first time the university has been charged with similar acts. On two separate occasion dating back to 2010 UL-Lafayette paid a fine for violating the Animal Welfare Act. Budkie says the public should be concerned for the fact that animals are being abused and that our tax dollars and are paying for it.

“We want the general public to know all is not well with animal laboratories within the United States. When laboratories are incapable of even following the minimum regulations of the animal welfare act the concept that they could be providing any kind of information which would be useful for science is simply ludacris," said Budkie

UL- Lafayette did release a written statement earlier today on their home page. It reads “Federal officials will take no action in response to the accidents.”

The university says both incidents were self-reported in an appropriate time and the issues were addressed and corrected. They reassured readers that they re-trained after each incident and that new standard operating procedures were created.

See also:

• University of Louisiana, (New Iberia) Lafayette, LA

Return to Media Coverage

We welcome your comments and questions