Negligence at Emory University Leads to Animal Deaths, Violation of Federal Law

The incidents at Emory are listed in National Institute of Health and USDA inspection documents now being made public by Stop Animal Exploitation Now (SAEN), a nonprofit research watchdog based in Ohio.

Emory was cited by the USDA in 2013 for the death of a primate after it was returned by Emory workers to the wrong cage, and was mutilated and killed by other monkeys. This most recent negligence, said SAEN, occurred in 2012 when multiple voles were killed after Emory staff failed, over years, to provide water to the caged animals. This failure violated government laws.

And, in 2011, Emory self-reported the death of an infant monkey at Yerkes Primate Center. The three month old baby monkey became entangled in a fire hose that was part of its cage.

SAEN filed an official complaint against Emory University over the multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act, noting, in a letter to Dr. Elizabeth Goldentyer of the USDA Regional Office in Raleigh: "I must insist that your office institute an immediate investigation. I know that your office considers major violations of the Animal Welfare Act to be very serious in nature, especially when these violations kill or seriously injure animals, said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN.

"Since Emory University has a long history of animal abuse which has led to multiple animal deaths, I must insist you take the most severe action allowable under the Animal Welfare Act and immediately begin the process of issuing the maximum fine allowable against Emory
University at the completion of your investigation – $10,000 per infraction," added Budkie.

The NIH reports and SAEN's Official Complaint are available upon request from SAEN.


Thursday, February 27, 2014
http://www.all-creatures.org/saen/press-20140227-2.html