UF Negligence Breaks back of Rabbit and Boils Rat pups in Sterilizer; Federal Citations Issued

Press Release
From Stop Animal Exploitation NOW!
S. A. E. N.
"Exposing the truth to wipe out animal experimentation"


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 23, 2010
Contact: Michael Budkie, SAEN, 513-575-5517
Attn: News Desk

UF Negligence Breaks back of Rabbit and Boils Rat pups in Sterilizer; Federal Citations Issued

GAINESVILLE, FL – Recently obtained federal reports reveal major violations of the Animal Welfare Act within the labs of the University of Florida, according to the national research watchdog group SAEN.

During May of 2010 UF received 6 federal citations from the United States Department of Agriculture for violating the Animal Welfare Act. The violations involved issues of inadequate Veterinary Care, Facilities, Housing, Enclosures and Miscellaneous.

The May 24, 2010 inspection report cites UF for two incidents in which negligence killed animals. One mishap involved improper handling of a rabbit by technicians which resulted in the struggling rabbit breaking his/her back.

The second incident involved negligent procedures during cage sterilization. Inadequate inspection of a cage before sterilization resulted in placing living rat infants into a sterilization device which took their lives.

“Negligence at UF killed 6 animals,” said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN. “This facility should face serious consequences for the deaths of these animals, but the USDA is literally allowing them to get away with murder,” he said.

“It is clear that the UF officials who are responsible for supervising animal research are not doing their jobs,” said Budkie. “What else is going on at UF that we don’t know about?”

According to SAEN the UF incidents are the latest part of a national pattern of negligent animal deaths in laboratories. Thirty-three labs have now killed over 125 animals within the last 1 ½ - 2 years.

The USDA inspection reports are available upon request from SAEN.

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See Also:
University of Florida, Gainsville, FL
Inspection Report - 24 May 2010
Group criticizes UF for animal deaths in its labs - 23 Jul 2010
UF Animal Abuse Report - 28 Jul 2010

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