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Programs & CampaignsCharles River Lab Charges DroppedIn September 2004, the deaths of two chimpanzees and the neglect of a third prompted the Otero County (New Mexico) District Attorney to file three complaints of animal cruelty against the managers and veterinarian of the Alamogordo Primate Facility at Holloman Air Force Base. The chimpanzee facility is managed by Charles River Laboratories, Inc., a worldwide corporation with headquarters in Massachusetts. The National Institutes of Health owns the facility. The complaint alleged that facility veterinarian Dr. Rick Lee and Charles River Laboratories, Inc. failed to provide necessary sustenance. Allegedly: Ashley, only 16 years old, suffered a wound that eventually led to her death; Rex, only 16 years old, was left semiconscious and vomiting after being anesthetized for a routine physical examination; and Topsy, 26 years old, lost nearly half her blood from a wound similar to Ashley’s. All three chimpanzees were allegedly left in the “care” of untrained night security personnel. Only Topsy survived. The charges against Charles River Laboratories were dropped by the Otero County District Judge because New Mexico's cruelty statutes exempt for veterinary medicine practice. In response to an article published on March 29 in the Boston Globe announcing the court decision, NEAVS has submitted letters to the Boston Globe asking for accountability from Charles River Labs on these allegations. Read Program Specialist Barbara Stagno's letter. Read President Dr. Capaldo's letter. Read NEAVS Scientific Advisor Dr. Greek's letter. We are asking that you also write to the Boston Globe and Charles River Laboratories and let them know that despite the outcome of the court decision, CRL needs to be held accountable for the allegations of neglect that led to the deaths and near death of these young chimpanzees. Boston Globe takes letters at letter@globe.com Charles River Laboratories can be reached at comment@criver.com
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