USDA Again cites Santa Cruz Biotech for Federal Violations; Federal Investigation underway; Watchdog Group Again Demands Federal Fine

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


Please contact Dr. Gibbens and demand that he take immediate action against the Santa Cruz Biotech company for all violations of the animal Welfare Act.  Be sure to insist on severe penalties because negligence at this lab has killed several goats and caused others to suffer horribly.

Dr. Robert Gibbens
Director, Western Region
USDA/APHIS/A
2150 Center Avenue
Building B, Mailstop 3W11
Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117 
(970) 494-7478
[email protected] 

AND

Please contact Santa Cruz Biotech directly and demand that their criminal negligence end, and that they begin retiring animals to sanctuaries instead of just killing them.

Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.
2145 Delaware Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA. 95060
Toll Free: 1.800.457.3801
Phone: 831.457.3800
Fax: 831.457.3801
e-mail: [email protected]

Customer Service:
5:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PST
e-mail: [email protected] 


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Contact: Michael Budkie, SAEN, 513-575-5517
 
USDA Again cites Santa Cruz Biotech for Federal Violations; Federal Investigation underway;  Watchdog Group Again Demands Federal Fine
 
SANTA CRUZ, CA – Recently obtained federal reports reveal the USDA has again cited staff of the Santa Cruz Biotech lab for multiple violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act relevant to incidents which took the lives of several animals and caused severe suffering to others.
 
Two separate inspection reports reveal multiple direct and repeat violations of federal law.  Additionally recent correspondence from the USDA reveals that their enforcement division is preparing a major case against this repeat violator of federal law.
 
A five page USDA inspection dated 3/6/12 cites Santa Cruz Biotech for multiple violations in areas of research protocol procedures and veterinary care.  The follow-up inspection performed on 4/19/12 again cites the lab for multiple violations in a scathing documentation of inadequate veterinary care and negligence.
 
The April inspection documents one goat with a leg fracture with one part of the leg “moving independently from the rest of the leg when the goat walked.”  Another animal had an untreated fracture.  A third goat had a serious skin condition which went untreated until euthanasia.
 
Recently obtained USDA correspondence reveals that the Investigation and Enforcement Services division of the USDA has an ongoing case against the Santa Cruz lab.
 
Stop Animal Exploitation Now, who first revealed the violations of federal law at Santa Cruz Biotech in an April 2011 news conference, has again contacted the USDA to insist on prosecution.
 
In the Santa Cruz Biotech fine request, sent to Dr. Robert Gibbens, Direct of the USDA/APHIS/AC’s Western Regional Office, Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., states “This kind of extreme negligence constitutes a clear and present danger to the roughly 10,000 goats and 6000 rabbits at this facility.  Therefore, I must insist that this facility receive the largest fine allowable by law at the conclusion of the current USDA investigation.”
 
All USDA inspection reports and correspondence are available upon request.
 
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