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

Prepared Statements

Animal Welfare Act Violations by the Texas Heart Institute

We have been lead to believe that the animals used in experiments are well treated and that the procedures performed on these animals are thoroughly regulated and governed by federal laws. This is far from the truth.

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) is the only federal law that governs animal experimentation, and in the last 5 years violations of this law have increased by over 90%. The serious infractions which have taken place at the Texas Heart Institute over the last several years are indicative of the seriousness of these violations.

In 2005 the Texas Heart Institute was cited for violations by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and for unqualified personnel because surgeries were performed without proper sterile technique. During the same inspection this facility was also cited three times for Inadequate Veterinary care. These violations referred to “ . . . one animal seized, stopped breathing, and died prior to euthanasia.”

In 2006 this facility was again cited for violations by the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee and inadequate veterinary care. One violation said: “. . . one calf showed multiple signs of distress and discomfort such as flared nostrils, excessive salivation, open mouth breathing (panting), pale tongue, splayed front limbs, and abdominal breathing. This particular calf was restrained in this manner for 7 days prior to euthanasia.”

In 2007 the Texas Heart Institute is again cited for multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act by the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee, and inadequate watering. One of these violations states: “euthanasia is performed by removal of the sheep heart . . . this is not an approved method of euthanasia.”

USDA inspections of the Texas Heart Institute have documented other violations such as: a sheep restrained in a “head catch” when this research method had not been previously approved, use of expired medical equipment and drugs, unacceptable veterinary practices, contaminated water, and surgical procedures were being performed by individuals without any training. Overall, this facility violated federal law 16 times in a period of 3 years. Additionally, despite the incidents that have been recounted in these inspection reports, this lab also claims that not a single animal used here has experienced any unrelieved pain or distress.

See Facility Reports and Information about Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX

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