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

Newsletters
The Defender
From Spring 2008 Issue

Harvard receives Official Warning from USDA

 SAEN has learned that the USDA/APHIS Animal Care issued an “Official Warning” for violations of the Animal Welfare Act to the Harvard Medical School in March of 2006. At the heart of the controversy at Harvard are incidents involving a cat who died due to inappropriate anesthesia and a dog who was neglected sufficiently to lose almost 30% of her body weight.

A cat, known only as #4928, suffered terribly at Harvard over the course of several days in early 2005. This cat was improperly anesthetized, and then placed in an enclosure with two other cats, even though he/she had not recovered adequately from anesthesia. The cat never recovered and was ordered to be euthanized. However, this euthanasia was delayed because the researcher, who had improperly dosed the animal, insisted on doing one more terminal procedure – prolonging the suffering.

A female dog known only as #113361 suffered appallingly at Harvard for almost three years. There is no way to know what kind of experimentation she suffered through, but her agony is unmistakable. On 9/23/04 her weight was recorded as being 36 pounds, but by 1/24/06 her weight had plummeted to only 26 pounds. Throughout this period the dog suffered sufficiently to lose 28% of her body weight.

The USDA inspection report dated January, 2006, listed over a dozen violations bringing the total for Harvard’s Medical School to more than 46 violations in less than 3 years. Harvard’s woes continued as the facility was given an Official Warning by the USDA for inadequately monitoring research protocols, inadequate veterinary care, and several other issues regarding cleaning and sanitation.

“A facility like the Harvard Medical School whose negligence has caused unnecessary pain, suffering, and death to animals should receive much more than a warning,” said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN. “Violations of this nature should result in stiff penalties.”