Home Page
About SAEN
Articles and Reports
Contact Us
Events and Campaigns
Fact Sheets
Financial Information
How You Can Help
Make a Donation, Please!
Media Coverage
Newsletters
Petitions
Picture Archive
Press Releases
Resources and Links
Grass Roots Org. List

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

Media Coverage

Reports: Dogs, rabbits died during Loyola research

By CARLA K. JOHNSON Associated Press Writer

Published on Monday Jul 21, 2008

A dozen animals died during experiments at Loyola University's medical school between 2006-2007, the result of untrained lab workers and inadequate care, according to federal documents.

U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors cited Loyola's Stritch School of Medicine in suburban Maywood for 22 violations during three inspections from March 2006 through November 2007, according to USDA reports obtained by the Milford, Ohio-based animal rights group Stop Animal Exploitation Now.

The group's executive director, Michael Budkie, released the reports Monday.

In one instance cited by the USDA in November 2007, a lab worker collecting bone marrow from a rabbit's leg apparently broke the bone and the rabbit was found dead the next day. In another from January 2007, five dogs died after being left without care or monitoring overnight just after surgery.

The research in question was halted and problems were corrected, said Loyola spokesman Jim Ritter. USDA spokeswoman Jessica Milteer said inspectors returned to Loyola this May and found problems resolved. No fines were issued, but Loyola did get a warning letter, she said.

Still, Budkie faulted Loyola for repeat violations over three inspections in 2006 and 2007.

"If the facility was following even the minimal requirements of the Animal Welfare Act, these things never should have happened in the first place," Budkie said.

Treating research animals humanely is a top priority at Loyola, said a written statement released by the university.

See: Loyola University, Maywood, IL for more information

Return to Media Coverage