ACTION ALERT:
Contact:
Dr. Robert Gibbens
Director, Western Region
USDA/APHIS/A 2150 Center Ave.
Building B, Mailstop 3W11
Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117
(970) 494-7478
[email protected]
SAMPLE MESSAGE:
Please levy the MAXIMUM FINE against the Lovelace Respiratory Research
Institute for their blatant disregard of the Animal Welfare Act when their
ineptitude killed two monkeys. Their utter disregard for the animals and the
Animal Welfare Act CANNOT be tolerated and MUST be punished to the fullest
extent of the law.
Editorial: Allegations against ABQ animal lab cite deadly pattern
From Albuquerque Journal Editorial Board, ABQJournal.com, January 15, 2020
“LRRI appears to have suffocated one monkey and starved another. These are only the latest of the negligent serial deaths. The staff of this facility are overworked and unqualified. It is a wonder that even more deaths haven’t occurred.”
– Michael A. Budkie, Stop Animal Exploitation Now
Whether you support or decry animal testing, the latest allegations of
deadly animal mistreatment at the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute
are beyond disturbing.
That’s because these appear to amount to simply ignoring not only federal
protocols but also basic empathy for another living being. And because this
is not the first time the institute has been accused of cruel, preventable
deaths – prior allegations have been upheld and resulted in fines.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Stop Animal Exploitation Now
have filed complaints with federal agencies against the institute (which is
not affiliated with Lovelace Health System). PETA wants the National
Institutes of Health to withdraw its approval that allows the institute to
get federal contracts and grants. Ohio-based Stop wants the U.S. Department
of Agriculture to investigate and prosecute the lab.
At issue is a Nov. 19 USDA inspection into the deaths of two 2½-year-old
male cynomolgus macaque monkeys. One died unexpectedly during a face-mask
inhalation procedure. PETA maintains the monkey was not properly monitored,
the chair arm restraints were too large so animals could become entangled in
the equipment and a full necropsy was not conducted as per the study’s
protocol. The other was found dead in the cage where he was held with five
noncompatible, male monkeys, and the necropsy cites “marked dehydration,
little to no visceral fat, and an overall thin body condition.” PETA says
the USDA report suggests he may not have been allowed access to food or
water.
In the controversial world of animal testing there is zero room for such
carelessness. Lovelace Respiratory Institute has been fined before for
needless monkey deaths, and if these allegations hold up, the pattern and
practice should mean one less place where animal testing is conducted.
This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
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