Envigo RMS LLC, a company specializing in breeding animals for medical experimentation, faces a historic penalty of $35 million (£27 million) following the rescue of 4,000 beagles from its Virginia facility in 2022. Marking the largest fine ever issued under the Animal Welfare Act, the fine underscores the severity of the company’s transgressions, as confirmed by the US Department of Justice (DoJ).
US Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, Christopher Kavanaugh, condemned Envigo’s actions, stating, “Envigo promoted a business culture that prioritized profit and convenience over following the law.” Kavanaugh emphasized the detrimental impact of this ethos, highlighting the inhumane treatment of animals and environmental contamination resulting from Envigo’s practices.
Inotiv, Envigo’s parent company, has agreed to pay the record-breaking eight-figure settlement and has committed to refraining from dog breeding for the next five years. In a statement on their website, Inotiv acknowledged their failures, expressing regret for falling short of standards for animal and environmental welfare.
The legal action against Envigo RMS was initiated by the US Department of Justice in May, citing multiple instances of animal cruelty at the Cumberland breeding facility. Inspections revealed appalling conditions, including instances where dogs were euthanized instead of receiving necessary veterinary care, and others were fed contaminated food, or left without sustenance altogether.
The rescue operation in August 2022 mobilized animal shelters nationwide to find new homes for the rescued beagles. Envigo admitted to knowingly violating the Animal Welfare Act, including failure to provide adequate veterinary care, staffing, and safe living conditions for the dogs.
In addition to animal welfare violations, Envigo’s sister company, Envigo Global Services Inc, admitted to breaching the Clean Water Act by improperly treating wastewater, which adversely affected the health of the dogs and polluted the environment.
The settlement agreement entails a payment of $22 million to the US government, along with approximately $1.1 million to the Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force and roughly $1.9 million to the Humane Society of the United States for their assistance in the rescue efforts.
Formal approval of the settlement is expected from a judge on October 7.
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