A letter to the USDA

2/22/2022

USDA/APHIS/AC
920 Main Campus Drive Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27606-5210

To Whom It May Concern,

On April 15, 2020, USDA issued a citation and imposed a monetary fine on the University of Wisconsin-Madison for multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act which occurred from March 4, 2015 through April 25, 2019. See:

Reference Number: WI160011-AC, WI170003-AC Issuance Date: April 15, 2020 Version: Final

The cited violations occurred over a period just short of four years: from March 4, 2015 to April 25, 2019. The violations involved at least 67 animals of covered species; the overwhelming majority were monkeys injured during routine housekeeping and husbandry. The last reported violation involving monkeys stated that three monkeys were left without water for four days. One was euthanized as a result.

The citation and fine have not had a noticeable effect on the rate or severity of violations occurring at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Since April 25, 2019, to January 18, 2022 a period of just under 3 years, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has reported additional violations involving 50 animals of covered species to the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW). The frequency and severity of the violations has remained constant.

Presumably, the citation and fine were imposed to encourage the University of Wisconsin-Madison to improve its animal care and compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and the applicable regulations and standards. This has not happened.

I trust you will revisit the intent of April 15, 2020 citation and look carefully at the continuing violations occurring at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. That fine did not lead to a reduction in violations.

Please take all necessary steps to persuade the University of Wisconsin-Madison to comply with the applicable regulations and standards of the Animal Welfare Act.

Sincerely,

Rick Bogle
5133 Maher Ave
Madison, WI 53716
rick.bogle@gmail.com