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

Newsletters
The Defender
From the Spring 2007 Issue

SAEN Files USDA Complaint in Wake of ALF Raid

In September the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) entered the facilities of the Capralogics laboratory in Hardwick, MA. This company uses rabbits and goats to produce antibodies which are used by other research facilities. During this raid 23 rabbits were freed from the laboratory. Photos of the horrendous suffering endured by the animals were released. A communiqué issued by the ALF states:

“the photos submitted with this communiqué, taken by a Capralogics employee in the U.S., show the way rabbits are treated by this terrible company - their bodies restrained in headlocks, their skin shaved off so they could be injected with various compounds. When their experiment concludes, they are terminally bled, meaning they are cut and left to bleed until their life has drained away.”

SAEN was not connected to this “raid” in any way, because our methods are only legal and above ground. However, we felt very strongly that this kind of photographic evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the Capralogics Company could not be ignored.

Therefore, on September 20th, SAEN filed an official complaint against the Capralogics Company, requesting an immediate investigation by the USDA. Our complaint stated:

“The staff of this laboratory clearly has a total disregard for the pain and suffering which are inflicted on the animals in their care. The rabbits used at this facility clearly need veterinary care and/or anesthesia. Also, this facility (from the Capralogics website) produces antibodies for use by other facilities. It is well known that antibodies can be produced in vitro, without the use of animals. Therefore, the work performed at this facility clearly violates the provisions in the Animal Welfare Act regarding alternatives to the use of animals.”

In addition to the clearly abusive and unnecessary procedures performed on rabbits and goats, the lab had also lied about the very nature of these practices, claiming that the animals did not feel any pain or distress. These misrepresentations occurred in reports filed with the USDA.

SAEN’s complaint was covered by many newspapers across Massachusetts, including the Boston Globe. The Associated Press also generated a story which was picked up by many local newspapers.

Please contact the USDA to demand that they take action against Capralogics:

Dr. Elizabeth Goldentyer
USDA/APHIS/AC
920 Main Campus Dr Suite 2000
Raleigh, NC 27606
Betty.J.Goldentyer@usda.gov

Go on to SAEN’s 2006 Annual Budget
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