Biotech lab 'loses' 2,471 rabbits and 3,202 goats
Santa Cruz Biotechnology, a major antibody provider, appears to have lost 2,471 rabbits and 3,202 goats, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The company used the animals to produce its anti-bodies.
Nature reports that the Dallas, Texas company was subject to three animal-welfare complaints filed by the USDA after inspectors found evidence that they were abusing their goats.
The company contested the complaints, prompting a hearing in August before a USDA administrative law judge in Washington DC. Both parties requested an adjournment to negotiate a settlement, which fell through in September.
The hearing is due to resume on 5 April - if the company is found to have violated the US Animal Welfare Act, it could be fined US$10,000 per violation for each day that a given violation persists or lose its licence to keep animals for commercial use.
It appears the company has done away with its entire animal inventory - as inspectors found no violations and no animals as of a 12 January inspection.
However just what happened to the animals is a mystery - they can't be sold for meat because, well, would you want to eat a medical research animal?
It is also unlikely that the company could find a buyer for them, given the purpose to which they were bred. Animal welfare activists believe the animals were simply killed.