ACTION ALERT:
Contact:
Dr. Elizabeth Goldentyer
Director, USDA, Eastern Region
(919) 855-7100
[email protected]
[email protected]
SAMPLE MESSAGE:
Please LEVY a MAXIMUM FINE against this repeat violator, West Virginia University, for their blatant disregard of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) when their negligence killed 2 lambs and a cow, after previously negligently killing 16 sheep. This repeat offender's behavior must NOT be tolerated and MUST be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
SAEN Report: WVU negligence kills 3
more animals
By
WDTV.com, August 25, 2016
According to the SAEN three more animals have died at West Virginia
University.
This comes after WVU was previously cited by the USDA for the deaths of 16
sheep back in March 2016.
According to reports two lambs have died, one entangled in a feed bunk, and
the other killed by an infection. Both had extensive rat bite wounds.
The report also says that a body, assumed to be that of a cow previously
reported missing, was found in the pasture in an advanced stage of
decomposition, and that the employees were never instructed to perform
routine headcounts of the cows.
5 News has reached out to WVU for comment, but have not recieved any word
back at this time.
The full press release can be found below.
PRESS RELEASE:
MORGANTOWN, WV – Three more animals have died at West Virginia University
laboratories, according to government disclosures from inspections February
through May 2016, said a research watchdog group today.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture has already cited WVU for negligent deaths of 16
sheep in March of this year for violating federal law, said SAEN (Stop
Animal Exploitation Now), which monitors the nation's research facilities
for animal abuse and violations of law.
SAEN said internal reports dated February 2, describe the deaths of two
lambs – one entangled in a feed bunk, and the other succumbed to infection –
both had extensive rat bite wounds. The report also discloses that a
carcass, assumed to be that of a cow previously reported missing, was found
in the pasture in an advanced stage of decomposition. The employees were
never instructed to perform routine headcounts of the cows.
A USDA inspection report dated March 15, 2016 cites WVU for inadequate
veterinary care involving the deaths of 11 sheep in an experiment. The
protocol was suspended pending determination of the cause, but upon
re-starting the research, five more animals died.
“Negligence at WVU has killed a large number of animals,” said Stacey
Ellison, research analyst, SAEN. “It is time for the USDA to seriously
penalize West Virginia University for negligent animal abuse, and violating
federal laws.”
All documents are available upon request from SAEN.
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