The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) inspectors performed a routine inspection of research laboratories at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) on January 31, which led to multiple citations.
The report stated that the handling of animals has not been done carefully, leading to "trauma, injury, stress, discomfort, and/or death."
Inspectors noted that veterinarian staff was not alerted to long-term or prolonged medical conditions of some animals, such as hair loss and "repetitive flipping in circles."
In a previous incident, the report stated that an animal was burned during thermal imaging, leading to the need for amputation of digits and a tail. In another case, a monkey had to be euthanized after the report claimed one primate escaped a cage and attacked another primate.
"Handling of all animals shall be done as expeditiously and carefully as possible in a manner that does not cause trauma, overheating, excessive cooling, behavioral stress, physical harm or unnecessary discomfort," the USDA inspection report stated.
The inspector said she observed a ferret without water, and once it was given water, it drank for three minutes straight.
"Adequate hydration is important to the health and well-being of all animals, especially the smaller species who can become dehydrated very quickly," she continued. "Access to adequate, potable water is essential for the health of the animal."
The report also cited sanitation and cleanliness of facilities.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) learned of the citations and got involved.
PETA vice president Dr. Alka Chandna said PETA filed a complaint.
"The wholesale neglect and incompetence that staff and experimenters at the University of Alabama–Birmingham (UAB) demonstrate would get them immediately fired from any Quickie-Mart, yet they continue to siphon taxpayer dollars by the fistful to torment animals in filthy conditions," Chandna stated.
"The university should get out of the business of tormenting animals and redirect its resources toward modern, non-animal research methods that will actually help humans," Chandna continued.
UAB and affiliated hospitals operate approximately 215,000 square feet of animal research laboratories. The Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) accredited the research.
AAALAC is currently conducting a triennial site visit at UAB.
2024 01 31 U of Alabama Birmingham by Erica Thomas on Scribd
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