Biotech firm to pay $3.5 million fine to settle-animal abuse case

Source: Associated Press

Biotech firm to pay $3.5 million fine to settle-animal abuse case

One of the world's top suppliers of antibodies faced allegations that it abused goats and rabbits at its facility in California.

By Associated Press
8:32 PM, Sat., May 21, 2016

SANTA CRUZ, CALIF. — One of the world’s largest suppliers of antibodies used in research has agreed to pay a $3.5 million fine and cancel its research registration in order to settle government allegations that it mistreated goats and rabbits at its Santa Cruz, California, facility.

The settlement between Santa Cruz Biotechnology Inc. and the U.S. Department of Agriculture also revokes the company’s license to sell, buy, trade or import animals.

The settlement announced Friday requires the Dallas-based company to pay the fine and cancel its research registration by May 31.

The USDA filed several complaints that listed violations ranging from failing to provide veterinary care to goats with wounds from coyote and snake bites or massive tumours and housing rabbits in cruel conditions, including putting them in elevated cages with open doors or in small, crowded cages.


Read more: https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2016/05/21/biotech-firm-to-pay-35-million-fine-to-settle-animal-abuse-case.html