UW reaches $35k settlement over animal welfare

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The University of Wisconsin-Madison has agreed to pay a $35,000 fine to settle animal welfare violations.

UW Research Animal Resources Center Director Eric Sandgren says the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the university 44 citations between 2007 and 2013. Sandgren says the agency has apparently decided not to pursue 37 of the violations; the settlement involves seven citations that include allegations of euthanizing a dog without notifying the supervising veterinarian and accidentally burning a cat. Sandgren said the cat fully recovered.

He says the university signed the settlement on Feb. 18. The university could have faced a $70,000 fine; each violation carried a maximum penalty of $10,000.

A USDA spokesman didn't immediately return a telephone message.