USDA Issues Warning to Ohio State After Death of 16 Research Animals
Federal inspectors have issued an official warning to the Ohio State University (OSU) following the deaths of 16 animals in research laboratories earlier this year. According to reports from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), investigators found that 30 animals were improperly treated during experiments conducted at OSU facilities—resulting in the deaths of 15 baby ferrets and one pig.
The USDA enforces the Animal Welfare Act, which sets minimum standards for the care and treatment of animals used in research. Two separate inspections in 2025 found that the university failed to provide adequate veterinary care and nutrition to baby ferrets used in laboratory testing. Inspectors reported that the ferrets were weak, improperly fed, and suffered “significant weight loss.” Between October 2024 and March 2025, 15 of the animals either died or were euthanized due to poor health.
In another case, a pig suffered cardiac arrest and died while under anesthesia—an incident the USDA linked to improper veterinary care. The agency issued an official warning to OSU in July, citing violations related to the pig’s death.
OSU spokesperson Ben Johnson stated that the university “follows all regulations and ethical guidelines for animal research” and that “all corrections outlined in the USDA report” have been made. He also said the external researcher involved in the ferret study is no longer permitted to conduct animal research at OSU facilities.
Despite these assurances, animal welfare advocates have expressed concern. Stop Animal Exploitation Now (SAEN), an Ohio-based watchdog group, filed two federal complaints urging the USDA to impose maximum fines—$12,722 per animal per infraction—arguing that the animals’ deaths were preventable and indicative of inadequate training and oversight.
“The fact that this animal was allowed to die this way clearly demonstrates that Ohio State University staff are inadequately trained and unqualified,” said Michael Budkie, SAEN’s executive director.
While three of the USDA’s five inspections at OSU this year found the university in full compliance, these recent incidents raise broader questions about the ethics and oversight of animal testing in academic research.
Ohio Animal Advocates continues to support the use of non-animal testing alternatives and stronger federal enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act to prevent unnecessary suffering in research settings.
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Source: NBC4i
