SAEN LogoBrown University Negligence Leads to Animal Deaths, and Abuse in Violation of U.S. Law, Federal Files Reveal; National Watchdog Urges Major Fine for ‘Critical’ Failures
Press Release - From SAEN Stop Animal Exploitation Now

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2018
Contact: Michael Budkie, SAEN 513-703-9865, [email protected]

Brown University Negligence Leads to Animal Deaths, and Abuse in Violation of U.S. Law, Federal Files Reveal; National Watchdog Urges Major Fine for ‘Critical’ Failures

PROVIDENCE, RI – Negligence by Brown University led to the death of two research subjects last month, according to reports obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by a national watchdog group.

SAEN (Stop Animal Exploitation NOW), which investigates U.S. research facilities for illegal activities, said the reports it obtained confirm there is a growing case of law breaking by Brown – the university has already received a federal warning for the negligence that led to another animal death as well as multiple traumatic injuries.

SAEN noted the Federal Warning was issued against Brown by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, which oversees research facilities, for a September 2016 escape and injury of a macaque monkey. Despite the Federal Warning, Brown repeated the incident in March of 2017, receiving a repeat “critical” citation for violating the same section of the Animal Welfare Act.

SAEN said the latest addition to Brown's extensive list of violations came in December of 2017, when the lab was issued yet another “critical” citation for failing to feed two bats, resulting in their deaths by starvation.

In a little more than one year, Brown University negligence has now killed two animals and caused traumatic injuries to three others, charged SAEN.

SAEN said it has filed a new “Official Complaint” with the USDA concerning the two bat starvation deaths, and is now pressuring the USDA for a maximum penalty of $10,000 per infraction/per animal, which could generate a $50,000 fine against Brown University.

"Brown University ignored a Federal Warning, and has continued to injure and kill animals in defiance of the USDA," said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., SAEN’s executive director.

"This repeat offender clearly deserves a major federal fine. If Brown University researchers are so incompetent that they can't even keep the animals in the cages or give them food, why should we believe that they can perform anything that even roughly resembles science," added Budkie.

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