USDA Cites Brown as Animals Die in Surgical Demonstration; Primate Goes Thirsty for Three Days; Group Demands Fine

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


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Contact: Michael Budkie, SAEN, 513-575-5517
Attn: News Desk

USDA Cites Brown as Animals Die in Surgical Demonstration;
Primate Goes Thirsty for Three Days; Group Demands Fine

PROVIDENCE, RI – Recently obtained federal reports reveal major violations of the Animal Welfare Act within the labs of Brown University, according to the national research watchdog group SAEN. Brown received nine federal citations in an inspection during July of 2010.

On July 28, 2010, Brown received nine federal citations from the United States Department of Agriculture for violating the Animal Welfare Act. Violations occurred in areas of Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee, Unqualified Personnel, Housing, Environmental Enhancement, Watering, and Facilities.

A shocking incident which took place in April of 2010 when a non-human primate (NHP) #H310 was denied access to water for three days because a researcher had left town. No arrangements were made to insure care for this animal.

An equally disturbing incident occurred on May 9, 2009, as students were performed unapproved surgical procedures on three animals. Two of the three animals had to be killed due to complications.

“Negligence at Brown killed two animals and caused a primate to go without water for three days,” said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN. “This facility should face serious consequences for these incidents of obvious incompetence.” SAEN has contacted the USDA to demand that Brown University receive “the largest fine allowable by law.”

In a letter to Dr. Jeffrey Flier, Budkie has demanded a tour of the primate center (to be accompanied by Boston area news media) as well as access to health records for all primates at the facility.

According to SAEN the Brown incident is the latest part of a national pattern of negligent animal deaths in laboratories. Thirty-five labs have now killed over 130 animals within the last 1 ½ - 2 years, including recent incidents of negligence at Harvard and Princeton.

The USDA inspection reports are available upon request from SAEN.

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See Also:
Brown University, Providence, RI
USDA Inspection Report - 28 Jul 2010

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