State clears lab of animal abuse charges

Hayley Tsukayama News Editor

Health inspectors from the New York State Department cleared the Vassar College bird laboratory of any state law violations after conducting an investigation of Vassar’s animal care facilities last August. According to the Department of Health, a complaint filed by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) prompted the inspection.

The state's inspection is separate from the investigation conducted by the National Institute of Health's Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW). The federal inquiry is also the result of a PETA complaint that was filed in early September. It is unknown whether the federal investigation will continue in light of the state’s findings, as the OLAW does not comment on investigations.

“The Department conducted a comprehensive investigation,” said Jeffrey Hammond, spokesman for the New York State Department of Health, “and we were unable to substantiate any of PETA's concerns. The case has been closed.”

In its complaint to the state Department of Health, PETA accused the laboratory of neglecting the health of its animals, particularly two finches who suffered leg trauma and had to be euthanized. The complaint attributed these deaths to animal neglect and improper housing conditions.

Vassar College Director of Media Relations Jeffrey Kosmacher said that the birds were transported to the College from the University of Pennsylvania. As is typical for animals bred in captivity, the University of Pennsylvania tagged the birds’ legs for identification.

According to Kosmacher the leg injuries reported in PETA’s complaint resulted from common problems that occur over time when birds wear leg bands.“The birds were taken under our care in the condition that they were in when they arrived,” said Kosmacher. “They were older birds, and therefore any health issues that they had accumulated over their life we inherited when they arrived at Vassar.

Kosmacher said that the state investigation proved that the animals in Vassar’s care were getting the attention that they deserved, and that Vassar’s facilities were meeting the standards that are set for these situations.