Group Seeks Investigation Into Electrocution Of Dogs At OU Lab

An animal rights group is calling for a federal investigation into the electrocution of dogs at a University of Oklahoma laboratory.

Michael Budkie is the executive director of Ohio-based Stop Animal Exploitation Now! Budkie says U.S. Department of Agriculture documents show OU's Health Sciences Center laboratory electrocuted dogs using a 9-volt battery applied to the heart, but correct surgical anesthesia was not used during the procedure.

Budkie says several dogs could have been electrocuted while not fully anesthetized and may have felt the pain of electrocution.

He's calling on the USDA to investigate and to fine the institution.

The OU Health Sciences Center released the following statement late Monday afternoon concerning a recent USDA Inspection:

"The OU Health Sciences Center follows all Guidelines and protocols of the American Veterinary Medical Association for Euthanasia of animals; however, on a recent USDA inspection they stated a preference for a different protocol which involves the injection of an anesthetic, which the OUHSC has adopted. The USDA did cite OU for two cases where a different anesthetic was used. The University has directed that great care should be taken to ensure that all future injections are appropriate." -OU Health Sciences Center.