USF Terminates Three Projects After Illegal Water Deprivation Experiment Kills Monkey, Leaves Others Sick; Watchdog Files Federal Complaint, Calls for Six-Figure Fine

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



Thank you!

Please contact the USDA to insist on a major fine for University of South Florida for the negligence which killed one monkey and made others seriously ill.

Dr. Elizabeth Goldentyer
USDA/APHIS/AC 920 Main Campus Drive, Suite 2000 Raleigh, NC 27606 
(919) 855-7100
[email protected]

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For Immediate Release
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Contact: Michael Budkie 513-703-9865
 
USF Terminates Three Projects After Illegal Water Deprivation Experiment Kills Monkey, Leaves Others Sick; Watchdog Files Federal Complaint, Calls for Six-Figure Fine
 
Tampa, FL – Researchers here at the University of South Florida (USF) killed one monkey and injured others after they illegally withheld any water from dozens of monkeys, charged a national research watchdog group.

SAEN (Stop Animal Exploitation NOW!) said it has filed an Official Complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture against USF.  SAEN monitors the nations research facilities – in 2014, SAEN's complaints have led to USDA citations against a dozen facilities and official warnings against six labs. 

According to SAEN, federal documents reveal that water was illegally withheld from primates overnight December 11, 12, and 18.  At least one primate died, and several others developed ketosis. A similar incident had withheld water from 27 primates overnight in April of 2013. 

SAEN's Official Complaint insists that the USDA cite USF for violations of: 2.33 Attending Veterinarian and Adequate Veterinary Care, 2.31 Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Section 2.32 Personnel qualifications, Section 3.83 Watering,  Section 2.38 Miscellaneous: (f)(1) Animal Handling, Section 2.36 Annual Report, etc. insisting on the maximum penalty of $10,000 per infraction.  The resulting fine could exceed $100,000.

University of South Florida Administration terminated all experiments connected to the Principal Investigator and staff involved in the primate water deprivation, as well as revoking the animal use privileges of the individuals involved.  

Issues raised by USF administration included: unapproved water deprivation, failure to monitor primates, failure to contact staff when animals needed veterinary care, as well as failure to develop a disposition plan for the animals at completion of the study.

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