USDA Clears OHSU of PETA's Animal Mistreatment Allegations

PETA announced during a press conference that it had planted an infiltrator at the primate center, then made claims of mistreatment.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Oregon Health & Science University announced Tuesday that it has been cleared of mistreatment allegations by the animal rights group PETA.

Following a two-day inspection, United States Department of Agriculture veterinarians have informed OHSU that they found no items of noncompliance and the university was given a clean bill of health.

"We are very pleased with the inspection report as it confirms our longstanding knowledge that OHSU takes very good care of its animals," explained Daniel Dorsa, Ph.D., OHSU's vice president for research.

"We thank Oregonians for withholding judgment on PETA's claims until they could be reviewed by independent, unbiased animal care experts. We also thank our animal care employees at the primate center for their continued hard work and dedication to the animals. I know that many of these employees were hurt and angered by PETA's claims. That is why we are so pleased with the quick and fair resolution of this matter."

The USDA conducted its inspection following a formal complaint by the animal rights group PETA. During a November 13 press conference, PETA announced that it had planted an infiltrator at the primate center. PETA then made claims of mistreatment on behalf of their anonymous employee.

The USDA conducted the investigation because it is the federal agency which enforces the Animal Welfare Act, a large collection of federal laws to ensure animals in captivity are treated well.

In response to PETA's claims, a separate two-day inspection took place on November 26 and 27. OHSU received formal notice of their inspection results on Nov 29.

OHSU is a highly regarded national research center that has contributed to research breakthroughs in stem cell therapies, preventing premature birth, re-establishing fertility, combating obesity and battling AIDS and Parkinson's. OHSU says the primate center's most recent breakthrough involved the successful reprogramming of skin cells into embryonic stem cells, which got national media attention.

OHSU says that this is the second time in the past seven years that an animal activist group has placed what they describe as an "investigator" in the primate center, undercover. In 2000, a former PETA employee and current employee of In Defense of Animals took a job at the primate center and then made claims of mistreatment. In that case, a two-month USDA inspection also cleared the center of wrongdoing.

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AreUkiddingme September 8, 2009 9:30 am (Pacific time)

Mel, You are the type of lunatic that gives animal rights people and organizations a bad name. Animals are often our property. I OWN many animals that are happy and healthy. Many of these animals work for people and were bred specifically for it. PETA is an organization of lunatics devoted to hurting humanity. The abuse of animals should be avoided whenever possible but your suggestions at complete idiocy. Breeders and buyers are doing nothing wrong. Pets are the sunshine in many peoples lives including our family. To suggest that we should keep pets is just plain stupid.

VeganAbolitionistMel December 16, 2007 10:00 am (Pacific time)

Reggie, you say "the reason they euthanize animals, is because they know that if they had a no kill policy like other shelters, the animals would not be treated well and get the attention and care they need." **That chosing death over a possibility of a rough life is the same stupid excuse hunters use for killing animals ("they might starve to death"). This is NO excuse to KILL healthy animals. PETA is not for animal rights, they are for animal welfare. Animals have the right to choose to live. Alot of the animals they euthanize are HEALTHY. Alot of the time they don't even try to find homes for them at all! I have visited GOOD no-kill shelters and I approve of them. Yes some have to wait awhile in the shelters but that's not the fault of those who actually respect animals' rights to live. Blame the ones who breed and buy animals. Blame those who don't spay or neuter their companion animals. PETA should focus on this and stop murdering animals. ----- Janipurr what research that benefits humans? Animal research ENDANGERS and KILLS humans. There are plenty of humane RELIABLE alternatives that truly save lives. To everyone who refers to PETA as an animal rights group: just because they say they are, doesn't mean they are. REAL animal rights groups (abolitionists, not welfarists) would never support "happy meat" or give kindness awards to slaughterhouses. Real animal rights means NO animal exploitation as non-humans are NOT our property! Real animal rights means we want NO cages, not slightly bigger ones.

Reggie Szewczyk December 6, 2007 10:08 pm (Pacific time)

Why do people think that animals activists have some kind of hidden agenda? They stand up for something they believe in. As for PETA, you can have extremists in any organization. JANIPURR, how much do you know about PETA? the reason they euthanize animals, is because they know that if they had a no kill policy like other shelters, the animals would not be treated well and get the attention and care they need.most of the animals they euthanize are diseased and dying already. i suggest you go visit a shelter that has a no kill policy, and tell me what you think after that. in response to Neal's comment...what other animal rights group have you heard about? none maybe? PETA knows that it cannot help animals out unless they are extreme. Nobody cares about good people trying to good things...all people do is watch gossip talk shows and listen to extreme news stories. PETA knows it has to do extreme things to get people's attention. as for the OHSU claims, there are videos of the monkeys being mistreated, but their claims and actions in this situation were far from extreme.

Nick December 6, 2007 1:42 pm (Pacific time)

Peta is really against any animals-period. They are a hate group and most of their claims are exageratted, unfounded, or flat out lies. Do NOT support Peta. There are plenty of legitimate animal welfare (not rights) groups that need your support.

Miguel December 6, 2007 7:55 am (Pacific time)

Save the planet...DONT HELP PETA AND THERE INSANITIES.

Neal Feldman December 5, 2007 10:31 pm (Pacific time)

Janipurr - I won't go so far as to say all PETA supporters hate humanity (self-loathing).. my daughters for a time helped them until they say haw viciously extremist they get... Not saying there are not some truly self loathing members but I agree... the animals are tools for their broader ideology in many ways, much like the 'for the children' arguments Gestapo CPS and so many disparate groups use to promote their own agendas not caring a whit in reality for the kids. It is sad when folks are so dishonest, isn't it? Ah well...

Janipurr December 5, 2007 8:01 pm (Pacific time)

Neal, I think you are operating under the assumption that PeTA cares if the animals are treated well. That is the wrong assumption. What is really happening is that PeTA doesn't really care about the animals, they just want to stop all research that benefits humans. It's more of a hatred of the human race than a love of animals thing. If they really loved animals, they wouldn't kill 90% of the animals they take into their "shelter", while another local shelter has a kill rate of less than half that. So, PeTA doesn't = Love animals, PeTA = hates humans.

Neal Feldman December 5, 2007 5:39 am (Pacific time)

Kinda suggests several things (likely a combination): 1) PETA makes a lot of unsubstantiated claims, 2) PETA, if making legitimate claims, needs to learn a lot about how to properly document their claims, 3) the fact that after an accusation and a pre-announced inspection it is pretty easy to 'clean up' a facility to get a follow up 'clean bill', 4) the govt had a vested interest in clearing the govt backed operation, etc. The world may never know unless PETA stops being so sloppy either in its investigative techniques or its penchant for making unfounded accusations that try to promote its extremism. (and whether they are right or wrong on a given point PETA is very extremist). Ah well...

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USDA Clears OHSU of PETA's Animal Mistreatment Allegations

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