Indianapolis Company Fined $35 Million for Animal Welfare and Water Pollution Violations – Davidson News
Indianapolis Company Fined $35 Million for Animal Welfare and Water Pollution Violations – Davidson News An Indianapolis-based company, Envigo RMS, owned by Inotiv, has pleaded guilty to animal welfare and water pollution violations at a dog-breeding facility in Virginia, where over 4,000 beagles, intended for drug experimentation, were surrendered following a U.S. Department of Justice intervention two years ago. The company will pay over $35 million in fines, the largest penalty ever imposed in an Animal Welfare Act case, and will be subjected to stricter animal care standards and continuous oversight through a compliance monitor. The resolution includes $22 million in criminal fines and $7 million to upgrade its facilities beyond the standards mandated by the Animal welfare Act. The rescued beagles have since been made available for adoption.
Published : 10 months ago by shiwangi in Environment
An Indianapolis-based company, Envigo RMS, owned by Inotiv, has pleaded guilty to serious animal welfare and water pollution violations at a now-closed dog-breeding facility in Virginia. This facility was infamously involved in a case where over 4,000 beagles, intended for drug experimentation, were surrendered following a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) intervention two years ago. Envigo RMS will pay over $35 million in fines, the largest penalty ever imposed in an Animal Welfare Act case. As part of the resolution, the company will also be subjected to stricter animal care standards and continuous oversight through a compliance monitor.
Envigo RMS operated an animal testing facility in Cumberland, Virginia, where numerous violations were documented. According to a Department of Agriculture inspection report, the facility failed to investigate over 300 puppy deaths and took no preventive measures to avoid future losses. These severe shortcomings led a U.S. District Court judge to issue a restraining order in June 2022, resulting in the facility’s closure.
Inotiv, which acquired Envigo RMS in 2021, is a research organization focused on advancing drugs and medical devices through various testing phases. Despite these goals, the DOJ revealed that Envigo RMS conspired to violate the Animal Welfare Act by neglecting to provide adequate veterinary care, staffing, and safe living conditions for the beagles. The rescued beagles have since been made available for adoption, ensuring they receive the care they deserve.
Violation of the Clean Water Act As Well
The company also violated the Clean Water Act by failing to properly manage its wastewater treatment plant. This negligence led to significant discharges of inadequately treated wastewater into local waterways, adversely affecting the health of the community and the beagles. David M. Uhlmann, assistant administrator of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, emphasized the widespread impact of these violations, stating, “Everyone victimized in this precedent-setting animal welfare case deserved better: the workers, the beagles, the environment, and the community.”
The DOJ’s resolution includes $22 million in criminal fines to be paid over four years. In addition, Envigo RMS will allocate at least $7 million to upgrade its facilities beyond the standards mandated by the Animal Welfare Act. Further funds will be directed to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Humane Society of the United States, and the Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force.
Inotiv acknowledged the resolution in a statement on its website, expressing its commitment to maintaining high standards of animal welfare while supporting scientific research. “Today’s agreement will allow us to comprehensively resolve this matter, bringing to an end uncertainty around the investigation,” the statement read. The company reiterated that its top priority remains upholding appropriate standards of animal welfare.
This case highlights the importance of strict compliance with animal welfare and environmental laws. The unprecedented fines and the requirement for enhanced standards underscore the serious consequences of neglect and misconduct in animal testing facilities. The rescue and adoption of the affected beagles offer a glimmer of hope, demonstrating the importance of holding corporations accountable for their actions and ensuring the well-being of all animals and communities involved.
Topics: ESG, Environmental Crime