Whistleblower allegations cite inadequate care, staffing shortages and regulatory failures
By Charlene Arsenault
WORCESTER—Allegations from an internal whistleblower have prompted animal welfare complaints to state and federal regulators accusing UMass Chan Medical School of widespread mistreatment of animals used in medical research, including failures in veterinary care, housing and pain management.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) submitted formal complaints on Dec. 10 to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare. In its pages-long filings, PETA alleges that animals including dogs, rabbits, ferrets, pigs and sheep suffered unnecessary pain and distress in violation of Massachusetts Research Animal Regulations.
The organization said the whistleblower supplied photographs, video, medical records and internal emails documenting the allegations.
“The university’s laboratories repeatedly failed to meet requirements for adequate feeding, effective veterinary care, humane housing and prompt alleviation of pain and distress,” PETA wrote in its complaint to the state health department. PETA urged regulators to investigate the allegations and pursue enforcement action if violations are substantiated.
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