Charles River Lab and two others cited for animal cruelty

June 14, 2009

Rockville lab cited for animal violations

Published 06/14/09

WASHINGTON, D.C.. (AP) - Government inspection reports cited three research laboratories for a host of animal welfare violations, ranging from problems with surgeries that forced researchers to euthanize a dog and a primate to leaving a live hamster in a walk-in freezer.

The reports, uncovered by an animal rights group, detail violations at BioReliance Corp. in Rockville, Charles River Laboratories Inc. in Shrewsbury, Mass., and Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, Mass.

The animal rights group, Stop Animal Exploitation Now, based in Milford, Ohio, criticized the U.S. Agriculture Department for not taking tough enforcement action against the facilities.

"These facilities should face serious consequences," said the group's executive director, Michael Budkie.

At BioReliance Corp., a lab assistant reported a hamster running loose inside the walk-in refrigerator, and a live hamster was found in a euthanasia bag inside the walk-in freezer. Failure to follow established euthanasia procedures "caused undue pain and distress for 2 hamsters and possibly 18 other hamsters."

Another report said a lab assistant reported finding a dead hamster in a cage in June 2008 after the cage was removed from a sterilizer. "It is assumed the animal was alive prior to being placed" into the sterilizer, the report said, and a system of checks and balances must be established "to ensure animals are not subjected to unnecessary pain and distress."

BioReliance said it reported the hamster incidents to the USDA. "The issues surrounding the events have been corrected and disciplinary actions were taken. Since these events, the company has received two clean inspections by the USDA," the company said in a statement.