USDA inspection finds 5 issues at OU research lab Issues include psychologically distressed baboon, rabbit with veterinary care

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http://www.koco.com/news/usda-inspection-finds-5-issues-at-ou-research-lab/27008526#!bij1DG

USDA inspection finds 5 issues at OU research lab Issues include psychologically distressed baboon, rabbit with veterinary care

From KOCO.com, Thursday, July 17, 2014

USDA inspection finds 5 issues at OU research lab Issues include psychologically distressed baboon, rabbit with veterinary care.

The University of Oklahoma's research center is facing a noncompliance writeup from a United States Department of Agriculture inspection report.

According to a June 3 inspection, painkillers and anesthetics were not administered to some animals in accordance with the university's institutional Animal Care and Use Committee policies.

Additionally, the report noted a rabbit showing signs of illness did not receive a veterinary exam, a baboon showed signs of psychological distress and the facility was in need of sanitation due to the presence of winged insects.

"When we have inspection reports that have noncompliances -- and when we have facilities that have repeat noncompliances -- we start looking at those facilities closer, and we start watching them closer so we'll start inspecting more frequently," said Tanya Espinosa, a USDA public affairs specialist.

Espinosa said there is no open investigation into the university's research center and there is no history of enforcement action against it.

Since the university has been made aware of noncompliance in the past, members of Stop Animal Exploitation Now! said they want to see penalties handed down.

"This comes on the heels of an inspection just last year where this same facility was cited for using electrocution as a euthanization method for dogs," said Michael Budkie, SAEN executive director. "This laboratory at the University of Oklahoma is clearly demonstrating a long-term pattern of failure to comply with federal regulations and as a result we believe they are deserving of a very severe penalty."

Espinosa said under the federal Animal Welfare Act -- when the USDA feels penalties are necessary following an investigation -- penalties could include a letter of warning or fines up to $10,000 per noncompliance. 

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