USDA concludes Nevada school mistreated research animals

Saturday, May 28, 2005 | 9:55 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - The University of Nevada, Reno mistreated and neglected research animals, the government announced after a seven-month investigation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture cited UNR for 46 violations of federal animal welfare regulations at the College of Agriculture between May 2004 and this past March.

The USDA offered to settle the case for a $11,400 fine, and UNR officials said Friday they would pay it to put the matter behind them.

While they disagree with some of the findings, UNR President John Lilley said, faculty members have addressed all concerns cited by the government.

"(We are) firmly committed to the appropriate treatment of animals under our care," Lilley said. "We take these matters seriously and we embrace the opportunity to improve."

UNR associate professor Hussein S. Hussein, an internationally known animal nutrition researcher whose allegations sparked the federal probe, praised the findings.

"All along UNR has been saying (it) would be vindicated by the USDA," Hussein told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "With the violations now verified by a federal agency, the university has been proven wrong and I'm the one who is vindicated."

The violations included repeatedly leaving 10 research pigs with inadequate water and housing, frequent poor sanitation at animal care facilities and lack of veterinary care.

The report also faulted the university for improper oversight of research activities, failure to investigate complaints of animal neglect and poor record keeping.

Eric Sakach, regional director of the Humane Society of the United States in Sacramento, Calif., said the USDA's action was a victory for research animals and those who report animal abuse.

"We are delighted that the USDA has taken this significant action against the university," he said. "We now hope that major changes will be made and the animals will truly benefit."

Sakach praised Hussein for reporting the university to federal authorities, saying it took courage.

Hussein, a native of Egypt, has filed two lawsuits in federal court against the university system, Lilley and other administrators.

The whistleblower accuses them of orchestrating reprisals and trying to fire him since he complained to the USDA last summer about the alleged abuse of research animals, including the deaths of dozens of sheep and mistreatment of pigs.

The university accused Hussein of violating research protocols by asking an independent veterinarian to examine and draw blood from pigs that Hussein said were being abused.

A hearing officer and review panel last month declared the school's charges were groundless and recommended Lilley dismiss them.

UNR officials noted the university was cited for non-compliance with animal regulations and not charged under criminal animal-abuse statutes.

They had steadfastly denied any research animals were mistreated and claimed the case stemmed from false claims made by a disgruntled faculty member.

Hussein noted the USDA report said the university animal oversight committee failed to investigate his complaints and follow other rules.

"The people who have the responsibility for UNR's animals aren't doing their jobs and the report makes that clear," Hussein said.

The USDA investigation began last year after the Gazette-Journal reported on research at the school, finding, for example, that 38 pregnant sheep died in October 2002 in a paddock behind a locked gate without food or water for three days.

---

Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com