Waverly lab faces another animal rights complaint
Media Coverage About SAEN Stop Animal Exploitation Now

ACTION ALERT:

Contact:

Dr. Elizabeth Goldentyer
Director, USDA, Eastern Region
(919) 855-7100
[email protected]
[email protected] 

SAMPLE MESSAGE:

Please LEVY a MAXIMUM FINE against Liberty Research for their blatant disregard of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) when their staff allowed three kittens to be killed. This behavior must NOT be tolerated and MUST be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Liberty Research was previously fined $5,250 for the deaths of two dogs. Clearly, this penalty was insufficient to bring this criminal lab/breeder into compliance. Therefore, I insist that their license be immediately terminated.

 

Waverly lab faces another animal rights complaint
By Jeff Murray, StarGazette.com, April 7, 2017

An animal rights group has filed another complaint against a Waverly research laboratory following the reported death of several kittens.

An Ohio-based organization known as Stop Animal Exploitation NOW (SAEN) filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture claiming that Liberty Research is guilty of gross negligence in the deaths of three kittens last year.

SAEN also filed a complaint against Liberty Research in 2015 following the suffocation deaths of two dogs during a transport mishap. USDA levied a $5,250 fine against the research laboratory following that incident.

Liberty Research has been in existence for more than 40 years and has been in Waverly since 1989.

The company's campus comprises 17 buildings that sit on about 14 acres of land off Route 17C. The business employs about 60 people.

Liberty Research breeds and raises cats and dogs for use in research for development of veterinary products, both for other research facilities and its own.

SAEN Executive Director Michael Budkie filed a formal complaint April 3 with USDA asking that Liberty Research not only be fined as a result of the kitten deaths, but shut down.

"Since this is the second time in approximately two years that negligence at this facility has negligently killed animals, and this facility continued to violated the law in between the two incidents of animal fatalities, they must be penalized in a more serious manner," Budkie wrote. "It is apparent that the $5,250 fine that this facility previously paid did not bring them into compliance with federal regulations. This facility imprisons 2,878 dogs and cats collectively. The safety of these animals is in danger as long as this negligent facility is in operation. I must insist that your office immediately take serious action against this career criminal."


A USDA spokeswoman said the agency takes all complaints seriously and looks into allegations of violations of the rules.

In response to the complaint, Liberty Research CEO William Waring released a statement defending the company's practices.

While not specifically addressing the latest allegations, Waring said the laboratory closely follows all federal guidelines and regulations and does important research that benefits all domestic animals.

"All work being performed at Liberty is in the development of veterinary products ensuring they are both safe and effective for the betterment of animals," Waring wrote. "This work is both highly regulated and mandated by the federal government. In addition to complying with all local, state, and federal laws that regulate animal research, Liberty is accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International, a non-profit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science."

It's unfortunate there are people who don't recognize the significant strides Liberty Research has made to ensure all pets live happy, healthy lives, Waring said.

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