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Dr. Robert Gibbens Director, Western Region, USDA
Six Research Animals Killed at UC
Irvine; Watchdog Group Wants Maximum Fines
From MyNewsLA.com, September 18, 2018
The University of California, Irvine, has admitted it negligently killed
six research animals and a watchdog group that monitors U.S. research
facilities said Tuesday it wants the school to be fined for its actions.
The school admitted the animal deaths of four rabbits, a sheep and a pig in
correspondence to a federal government funding agency and in internal
documents, which were never intended to be made public, according to Michael
Budkie, co-founder of Stop Animal Exploitation Now.
The correspondence revealed botched surgical procedures, a lack of
veterinary care and unqualified staff caused the animal deaths, he said.
The correspondence discusses potential violations of multiple federal
animal welfare regulations including requirements for qualified personnel,
adequate veterinary care and proper animal handling, Budkie said.
SAEN has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture alleging
multiple violations and calling for the opening of a major federal
investigation, he said. In addition, SAEN also urged the maximum federal
fine of $10,000 per infraction and animal.
“Since this lab has documented multiple failures which led to fatalities, it
is clearly time for the USDA to take action,” Budkie said. ”Otherwise
animals will continue to die unnecessarily, and federal funds will be
squandered.”
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