USDA fines NC hospital over animal research

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has levied a $35,000 fine on Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for violating the Animal Welfare Act in connection with its animal research procedures.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports (http://bit.ly/146jV3Z ) that hospital officials said Tuesday that is has paid the fine, which was the result of an agreement between the Agriculture Department and Wake Forest Baptist

The USDA had investigated eight events between 2009 and 2012, among them the escape of a female monkey from a university research center near Clemmons in June 2012. The monkey was recovered unharmed.

USDA cited Wake Forest Baptist for that incident in August 2012. The other events include the deaths of 21 research rabbits and additional lapses by the medical center in its animal research procedures.

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Information from: Winston-Salem Journal, http://www.journalnow.com