FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Contact: Michael Budkie, SAEN www.saenonline.org, saen@saenonline.org, (513) 575-5517

Attn: Assignment Desk

USDA Cites University of Rochester for Starving Primates; Watchdog Group To Monitor Lab

Rochester, NY – A recently obtained USDA inspection report reveals a major violation of the Animal Welfare Act at the University of Rochester.

A May 2011 USDA inspection report for the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry reveals citations for depriving several primates of food for extended periods. Primate #940 was starved for 4 days and primate #631 was denied food for two days. The University is also cited for filing fraudulent reports for not listing these animals as experiencing distress.

Federal information sources show that the University of Rochester receives over $8.2 million in federal funding for research on primates.

“A lab that receives millions of dollars in federal tax grants should at least be able to make sure that the animals are fed,” said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN. “If the staff of this facility is not even capable of insuring that animals are fed, then do we want to believe that they are capable of producing anything that roughly resembles science?”

SAEN believes that negligence in animal laboratories endangers not only the animals held in the facilities but also human health by potentially generating scientifically invalid findings.

“We will continue to monitor this lab because the inability to even offer food to animals raises serious questions about the ability of this lab to provide basic care,” added Budkie. “Additionally, it appears that at least one of the projects at this university may purposely deprive monkeys of water.”

The inspection report is available from SAEN.

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See also: USDA - Inspection Report - 25 May 2011 and University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY

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