Nearly All U.S. Vet Schools Cited For Welfare Violations

by ANC Staff and AVAR

The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR), a national organization of veterinarians, veterinary medical students and technicians, has obtained inspection reports showing that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) cited nearly every U.S. veterinary medical school for non-compliance with the federal Animal Welfare Act.

The USDA's action was the result of a petition for rulemaking and enforcement under the Animal Welfare Act filed by the AVAR last year after discovering blatant violations of the federal law at many U.S. veterinary medical schools.

Almost every school was cited for failing to search for alternatives to harming and killing animals or for providing an explanation as to why they weren't being used.

Further, many schools were cited for duplicative use of animals and for the number of animals used, as well as the appropriateness of the species.

Some were cited for lack of personnel training and identification of animals, multiple potentially painful procedures, and missing information regarding anesthesia and methods used to kill animals.

"The USDA responded more positively than we could have ever expected," said Teri Barnato, AVAR's national director.

"For as long as I can remember, veterinary medical schools have used the USDA as an excuse for continuing to harm and kill animals for educational purposes," Barnato said.

"They always made the claim that they were inspected by the USDA and, subsequently, had complied with federal law. However, after the numerous and repetitive violations were brought to the USDA's attention, things are starting to change," she added.

In the meantime, some schools are to be congratulated for changes being made to eliminate harmful and fatal animal use.

The University of California School of Veterinary Medicine has plans to discontinue its remaining terminal surgeries and other terminal procedures in both core and elective small animal courses.

The Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine both have eliminated terminal surgeries in core courses.

Copies of the inspection reports and citations pertaining to veterinary schools can be obtained from Teri Barnato by calling (530) 759-8106 or emailing teri@avar.org.

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.