Top Stories

USDA finds 'full compliance with standards for research, animal welfare' at Pitt

In the wake of allegations of “suffering, neglect and incompetence in University of Pittsburgh laboratories,” government inspectors said the university’s research labs are in full compliance with regulations.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claimed "horribly cruel and seemingly pointless" experiments were approved on the animals by the university and the federal agencies that fund the experiments. Pitt officials responded on Thursday, saying that is not the case and that Pitt's research program has led to a number of breakthroughs in medical care.

PETA had accused the university of animal abuse, saying its “eyewitness investigation reveals suffering, neglect, and incompetence in University of Pittsburgh laboratories.” PETA said its proof came from a mole inside the research labs.

MORE DETAILS: 

PETA allegations against University of Pittsburgh

USDA's inspection report of Pitt's research labs

PETA had alleged the University of Pittsburgh “approved barbaric and antiquated experiments and turned a blind eye to cruel and callous treatment of animals is a shameful abdication of responsibility.” In a news release, PETA said it filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for alleged violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

University of Pittsburgh officials said the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service conducted a four-day inspection of animal research laboratory spaces at Pitt, apparently in response to abuse allegations and a video provided to the department

The unannounced inspection took place the week of Feb. 27.  Pitt officials said the inspection was conducted by three veterinary medical officers who visited multiple university facilities and interviewed a number of the university’s veterinarians, animal care staff members and researchers.

USDA inspectors “did not identify or corroborate any instances of noncompliance with animal welfare regulations, as documented in an inspection report provided to the university on March 3,” according to a statement from Pitt officials.

University officials said in a news release:

“The University's animal research program has led to a number of breakthroughs in medical care, and the University of Pittsburgh is committed to the highest standards of care for all research animals. This is evidenced by the university's voluntary participation in the accreditation program of the International Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care and the efforts of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, husbandry staff members and researchers who work to assure that animals are treated as humanely as possible. The university follows the provisions of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, an internationally recognized standard for care.”
 

Cox Media Group

Most Read