Feds Fine University of Texas Lab for Chimp Escape and Death

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has fined the University of Texas' M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center for the March 2008 escape and shooting death of a chimpanzee. Tony, the chimpanzee, broke away from a primate compound near Bastrop.

The USDA opened an investigation after receiving PETA's complaint about the incident and cited M.D. Anderson's Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research last month for multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act in three separate incidents.

The violations include failure to maintain secure enclosures and failure to handle animals in a manner that does not cause them harm. The facility has paid nearly $3,000 to settle the fine.

Tony's escape and killing was one of three escapes involving chimpanzees in la six month period.


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