SNBL USA Biosupport, LTD, Everett, WA

April 23, 2012

FROM:
SAEN
1081-B St. Rt. 28 #280
Milford, Ohio 45015
(513) 575-5517
www.saenonline.org

TO:
Dr. Robert Gibbens
Director, Western Region
USDA/APHIS/AC
2150 Center Ave.
Building B, Mailstop 3W11
Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117

Dr. Gibbens,

I am contacting you today because I am concerned about a significant number of primates who have died at the SNBL facility in Alice, Texas.

I have obtained several records relevant to the SNBL facility in Texas (2103 FM 625, Alice, TX 78332). These records reveal 3 primates whose deaths are a cause for serious concern. Two of the SNBL primates, A10020, A10064, died of “Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex” or Tuberculosis. Primate F08057 died of polioencephalomalacia, or goat polio. The severely debilitated condition of this primate (including “ . . . a profound regional lesion in the occipital cortex that consists of extensive rarefaction of the grey matter,”) indicates a severely suffering animal. Additionally, a condition of this type must raise serious concerns regarding contagious spread to the rest of the primate colony, as well as the origin of this disease, as would the two cases of tuberculosis. All three of these deaths are causes for concern regarding potential veterinary care 2.33 violations, as well as being issues of Public Health concerns.

We are concerned that these two facilities have both violated the Animal Welfare Act, and that the SNBL facility of Alice, TX has also endangered public health.

We believe that these incidents may indicate potential violations of several sections of the Animal Welfare Act including but not limited to: Section 2.33 Veterinary Care. (b)(2) The use of appropriate methods to prevent, control, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries; and (b)(3) daily observation of animals. Section 2.32 Personnel Qualifications, etc.

Since the documents in my possession deal with only a fraction of the animals at the SNBL lab, it is imperative that all other deaths at this facility caused by infectious disease must be investigated as well.

As this investigation is likely to bring to light more violations by the SNBL facility, I must also insist that this facility receives the maximum in penalties for these infractions, especially since these incidents are directly relevant to the deaths of many animals, as well as the safety of the general public.

I expect that your office will reply to this correspondence within five business days.

Sincerely, Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN

Attachments: Post-Mortem Records for SNBL Primates.
CC: OIG

See also:

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Rats, mice, birds, amphibians and other animals have been excluded from coverage by the Animal Welfare Act. Therefore research facility reports do not include these animals. As a result of this situation, a blank report, or one with few animals listed, does not mean that a facility has not performed experiments on non-reportable animals. A blank form does mean that the facility in question has not used covered animals (primates, dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, pigs, sheep, goats, etc.). Rats and mice alone are believed to comprise over 90% of the animals used in experimentation. Therefore the majority of animals used at research facilities are not even counted.

We welcome your comments and questions

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

Resources and Links
Washington Facility Reports and Information
SNBL USA Biosupport, LTD, Everett, WA
Letter of Complaint to USDA - 22 Apr 2012

SNBL USA Biosupport, LTD, Everett, WA

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

Resources and Links Washington Facility Reports and Information SNBL USA Biosupport, LTD, Everett, WA Letter of Complaint to USDA - 22 Apr 2012

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

Resources and Links
Washington Facility Reports and Information
SNBL USA Biosupport, LTD, Everett, WA
Letter of Complaint to USDA - 22 Apr 2012