In a significant development in animal welfare, US-based breeder Envigo has pleaded guilty to charges of mistreating beagles at one of its facilities. The company has agreed to pay a hefty fine of $22 million following the acknowledgement of the mistreatment.
The plea and subsequent delicate stem from an investigation that revealed instances of negligence and cruelty towards beagles within Envigo’s operations. According to reports, the mistreatment included inadequate care, housing, and veterinary attention for the animals.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, which handled the case, highlighted the severity of the situation. Acting US Attorney John Childress emphasized the importance of holding corporations accountable for treating animals, stating,
Ensuring the humane treatment of animals is a priority for our office, and we will continue prosecuting companies that fail to uphold acceptable standards of care.
Envigo, formerly Huntingdon Life Sciences, is a significant animal breeding and research player. The company supplies laboratory animals to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide.
Following the investigation and subsequent plea agreement, Envigo issued a public statement expressing regret for the beagles’ mistreatment. The company pledged to implement comprehensive reforms to improve animal welfare standards across all its facilities.
“We deeply regret the mistreatment that occurred at one of our facilities,” said Envigo CEO Dr. Adrian Hardy.
Ensuring the well-being of the animals in our care is of utmost importance to us, and we are committed to making meaningful changes to prevent such incidents from happening again.
Animal welfare organizations have welcomed the plea agreement and the substantial fine imposed on Envigo. However, they have also called for greater oversight and regulation of the breeding and research industry to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The $22 million fine will be distributed among various animal welfare organizations and used to fund programs to improve the treatment of laboratory animals. Additionally, Envigo has committed to investing in enhanced staff training and implementing stricter protocols for animal care.
As Envigo takes steps to address the shortcomings in its operations, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards in animal research and breeding.
Source: Reuters June 4, 2024