[Animals] Madrid suspends the activity of a laboratory after finding signs of animal abuse

[UltimaTexCS]

The Community of Madrid has decided to suspend the research activity of the Vivotecnia laboratory after, as a result of a complaint, indications of animal abuse were found after carrying out an inspection.

As reported this Sunday by the regional government in a statement, the Ministry of the Environment, Spatial Planning and Sustainability has made this decision after this week the Cruelty Free International organization released a video revealing behaviors "that would involve a very serious infringement of the regulations that regulate the use of experimental animals in this laboratory for clinical trials ".

After the video was released, the Community opened a procedure and immediately sent an inspection to gather information on the known facts for which there was no prior complaint. "After verifying the existence of said facts, the investigative activity was immediately suspended, with the express prohibition of carrying out new projects with animals. Likewise, the Nature Protection Service (Seprona) was informed of what happened" , the Government has explained.

The Community has also ensured the well-being of the animals resident in the laboratory, which have been under the constant care and supervision of the Community, and of a veterinarian on site, while their fate is determined. Their transfer to reception centers with their subsequent adoption is also contemplated, depending on what is established in the regulations for the protection of animals used in experimentation and other scientific purposes.

Criminal complaint
For its part, PACMA, together with the Vegan Sanctuary, Salvando Peludos and the Rainfer Center, has filed a criminal complaint against the laboratory "as a result of the horrible images that have shocked the entire society, in which it is shown how the staff of said laboratory mistreats, humiliates and carries out allegedly illegal practices to dogs, rabbits, mice, macaques, pigs and other animals used in the experimentation ", has informed the Animalista Party.

This Sunday sanctuaries, associations and animal protectors from various parts of the country, in addition to requesting the closure of the biotechnology company, have requested in a statement to cede custody of the animals to entities that can guarantee their well-being.

Cruelty Free International released a video last Friday showing the alleged animal abuse and extreme cruelty to which they are subjected at Vivotecnia.

You can help us shut #Vivotecnia. We’re demanding the local authority withdraw Vivotecnia’s license to carry out animal experiments, and the facility be closed down now. Sign the petition & RT today to demand justice for animals ➡ https://t.co/SVinIfujbB pic.twitter.com/NXJjflDPID

- Cruelty Free International (@CrueltyFreeIntl) April 9, 2021
Vivotecnia sent a statement in which its executive director, Andrés König, requested a voluntary inspection from the competent authority "as soon as possible." König pointed out that he had viewed the published images and videos with "great concern", images that have left him "dismayed and worried" and that do not represent "the day-to-day reality" at Vivotecnia during its 21 years of existence.