ACTION ALERT:
Contact:
Dr. Robert Gibbens
Director, Western Region, USDA
[email protected]
[email protected]
Please levy the MAXIMUM FINE against Washington State University for their
blatant disregard of the Animal Welfare Act when their negligence allowed
two Big Horn Sheep to suffer unnecessarily because they were not euthanized
before suffering through a painful death. Their behavior should NOT be
tolerated and MUST be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
Complaint claims WSU allowed research sheep to suffer
From LewistonTribune, August 7, 2020
An animal rights group has filed a complaint against Washington State
University, alleging it allowed two bighorn sheep to suffer before their
deaths.
Stop Animal Exploitation Now filed the complaint with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture and asked the agency to fine the university $10,000 for each
animal.
According to the complaint based on documents the university submitted to
the USDA, the animals were part of a herd being used to research a strain of
hemorrhagic pneumonia that has devastated wild bighorn sheep herds across
the western United States.
After exposure to the illness, researchers observed sheep in captive herds
for symptoms of the illness. Those that developed severe cases were
euthanized and those with only mild symptoms were monitored. However, the
two sheep central to the complaint developed rapid onset of severe illness
and died before they could be euthanized.
“WSU’s negligence continues to kill animals regularly,” said Michael A.
Budkie, co-founder of the group that has filed several complaints against
the university since 2016. “They shouldn’t get away with this.”
Charlie Powell, a spokesman for the College of Veterinary Medicine, said the
group targets every major biomedical research university in the country.
“All universities that come under federal regulations for animal research
are required to submit these reports and what (Stop Animal Exploitation Now)
does and what Mr. Budkie does is he trolls these required reports and turns
around and solicits the USDA, the very organization we submit the reports
to, that they need to do more and fine all of us,” Powell said.
He called the university’s work with bighorn sheep essential.
“This continued problem with hemorrhagic pneumonia is catastrophic to
bighorn sheep herds, and it is essential we continue to find ways to prevent
it or treat it.”