FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Contact: Michael Budkie, SAEN www.saenonline.org, saen@saenonline.org, (513) 575-5517

Attn: Assignment Desk

Illegal Experiments at UT Knoxville endanger dogs; Watchdog Group Demands Fine

Knoxville, TN – Recently obtained federal reports reveal major violations of the Animal Welfare Act within the labs of University of Tennessee (Knoxville) which seriously endangered several dogs.

A USDA inspection report from April of 2011 reveals citations for unapproved surgical procedures in dogs which caused the animals to develop “draining lesions,” requiring emergency surgery for one dog.

Overall, UT (Knoxville) is cited for Inadequate Veterinary Care, insufficient supervision of experimentation by the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee, Unqualified Personnel, and improper Animal Handling (in a separate incident involving improper restraint of a cat).

Stop Animal Exploitation Now has contacted Dr. Elizabeth Goldentyre, Director of the Eastern Regional Office of the USDA, to insist that a fine be issued against UT Knoxville.

“The treatment of animals at this facility illustrates attitudes of carelessness and negligence that must be punished so that meaningful changes can be made,” said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN.  “Therefore, I insist that you take the most severe action allowable under the Animal Welfare Act and immediately begin the process of issuing a fine against University of Tennessee, Knoxville.”

See also: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

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