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''They would wince, scream, tremble and shake': U.S. lab investigated for horrific abuse of test monkeys
A U.S. laboratory has been accused of severe cruelty to monkeys after a whistleblower went to PETA with images and accounts of disturbing abuse.
PETA urged the federal Animal Plant and Inspection Service to investigate the U.S. headquarters of Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories in Washington after an ex-employee came forward.
The anonymous whistleblower recounted incidents of horrific treatment of the animals who suffered from repeated abuse, torment and torture at the laboratory headquarters in Everett.
Use of animals for testing of new drugs and other medical applications is legal in the U.S. but are subject to the strict health and safety provisions of the federal Animal Welfare act.
According to MSNBC, PETA said that when it came to drawing blood from the monkeys, the former employee said they would 'wince, scream, tremble and shake, and try to defend themselves.
'Eventually, many of the monkeys stop fighting and reacting … it is like the life is gone from them.'
She said they were routinely bruised but not treated for injuries.
PETA launched an official complaint which charged that Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories violated the Animal Welfare Act for a number of reasons.
PETA Vice President Kathy Guillermo in a statement: 'With this video, the public can plainly see what desolate, traumatized lives of deprivation these monkeys lead.
'We're calling on the USDA to launch an immediate investigation and hold SNBL accountable if these very serious allegations of animal abuse are borne out.'
The controversial lab has repeatedly come under fire for alleged violations, including the 2008 scalding death of a money whose cage was run through a high-temperature washer while the monkey was inside.
The company has not responded to requests for comment.
