http://www.necn.com/08/21/12/OHSU-fined-12000-for-monkey-escape-other/landing_nation.html?&apID=1aea8b27b06f403d9a7da346cf31c00a

OHSU fined $12,000 for monkey escape, other issues

From New England Cable News, Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Oregon Health & Science University paid a fine of nearly $12,000 following the deaths of five monkeys and the escape of nine others from the Oregon National Primate Research  Center in 2009.
University officials said Tuesday that they agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and paid the fine on four violations earlier this year. A group opposed to animal testing called the fine "paltry."

In a letter dated May 8 to OHSU's chief lawyer, USDA investigators said the university could settle the cases and avoid a fine up to $40,000 and other sanctions.

Two monkeys died as a result of dehydration when a new water system didn't work at the research center in Hillsboro. One was killed when it was given an excessive dose of a sedative being studied, and two others died when a miscommunication resulted in them being given a toxic substance not intended for living animals.

University officials said they've taken steps to ensure the mistakes aren't repeated, including retraining staff and requiring daily checks of water lines.

"These incidents are unfortunate and the animal losses were felt deeply by our staff," Nancy Haigwood, director of the primate research center, said in a statement. "The personal impacts of these incidents on our veterinarians, animal caregivers and scientists far outweigh any fine."

Researchers seek a balance between advancing human and animal health while ensuring the wellbeing of animals being studied, she said.

The $11,679 fine includes a sanction for the 2009 escape of nine monkeys. The macaques, which were part of a breeding colony and not involved in health research, got free when a worker forgot to latch the door to an outdoor cage. Four were captured immediately, but the last wasn't found until two days later.

OHSU officials they've built a new perimeter fence that's harder for monkeys to climb and trimmed nearby vegetation. The center also improved the fencing in front of the doors to the monkey cages and created a specialized team of employees with expertise in capturing animals in case of any future escape, though there hasn't been one, officials said.

Stop Animal Exploitation Now, a group opposed to animal testing, said the fine should have been much higher.

"The USDA is literally allowing OHSU to get away with murder" Michael Budkie, the group's director, said in a statement.

See also:

• Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR
• Oregon Health Sciences University Slapped with Federal Fine; USDA Imposes Paltry $11,679 Penalty for Multiple Primate Deaths
  Press Release
• USDA - APHIS - Investigative and Enforcement Services (IES) Report - 8 May 2012

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