Reporting Animal Welfare Concerns at OSU
It is the policy of Oregon State University that the care, use, and treatment of university-owned animals should be of high quality and in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations. The law requires that all persons involved or in any way associated with the use of animals in research or teaching know how to report deficiencies in animal care and treatment. There are no restrictions on who can report an alleged incident. Anyone who has knowledge of such a deficiency is obligated to report it to the proper Oregon State University officials immediately. Under no circumstances will reporting such incidences in good faith be detrimental to an individual's standing within the institution.
DEFINITION: Allegations of animal mistreatment and non-compliance include the following:
- Mistreatment: The wrongful or abusive physical or psychological treatment of an animal.
- Non-compliance: Not following the established procedures, policies, or protocols.
PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING ANIMAL WELFARE CONCERNS:
Any person with knowledge of deficiencies or with reasonable suspicions of non-compliance or mistreatment involving Oregon State University owned animals is obligated to report them to the IACUC Administrator (541) 737-2762, any member of the IACUC, or the University Attending Veterinarian (541) 737-6213. Timely reporting is essential to protect the animals involved and to aid the investigation of the allegations. If a person actually witnesses mistreatment or abuse, the witness should immediately notify the above contacts so that the animal or animals involved can be evaluated and receive medical treatment if necessary.
PROTECTION & PROCEDURES
- Neither administrative action nor retribution of any kind may be taken against a person making a good faith report of deficiencies. This is in accordance with public law [9 CFR, Part 2, Subpart C 2.32 (c) (4)].
- Reports of suspected deficiencies should be made in writing whenever possible and should include, but need not be limited to, the nature and the place of the occurrence, the person or persons alleged to be delinquent, the date, the time, and any supporting facts.
RESULTING ACTIONS
- The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) will investigate allegations and report its findings and recommendations to the Institutional Official in a timely fashion.
- Details of any reports or allegations of deficiencies, findings, or recommendations of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, as well as administrative or legal actions taken by the committee are considered privileged information and may be released only through official channels, or as required by law.
CONSEQUENCES
- Willful mistreatment or abuse of animals may be grounds for suspension of all animal use activities or protocols involved, or other disciplinary actions. Disciplinary action may be appealed through existing procedures.
NOTIFICATION OF POLICY
- This policy will be available to all personnel involved in any way in animal research at OSU facilities. Principal investigators will be responsible to assure that all personnel involved in research activities under their direction are aware of the above procedures.
- Statutory authority for this instruction is found in the 1985 Amendment to The Animal Welfare Act Title 7, United States Code, Section 2131-2156, PL-99-198. The act requires that "...training for scientists, animal technicians, and other personnel involved with animal care...shall include...methods whereby deficiencies in animal care and treatment should be reported."