Earlier today, the Orange County Register online published a story under the headline “UC Irvine should be fined for killing 6 research animals, says watchdog group”. The “watchdog group” is Stop Animal Exploitation Now (SAEN), a militant anti-research organization, led by Michael Budkie. The article was picked up from City News Service, a regional news service covering Southern California. No one from either the City News Service or the Orange County Register contacted UCI prior to publication.
UCI has issued a formal response and the Orange County Register has removed the article from its online edition (though the original article is still posted on the SAEN website). In addition, the online local-news outlet Patch has published an honest and fact-filled article in response which can be found HERE.
Please visit the IACUC website for more information about UCI’s animal care program