Everett lab fined $185,000 over death of 38 monkeys

EVERETT – An Everett medical laboratory has been fined $185,000 over the deaths of 38 monkeys over a five-year period.

The Daily Herald reported that SNBL USA on Dec. 2 reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture over allegations that the lab did not comply with the federal Animal Welfare Act, which regulates the treatment of animals in research facilities.

SNBL USA conducts research into future disease treatments for human use. It focuses on leukemia and muscular dystrophy.

The lab will also have its license suspended for 30 days, or until federal inspectors visit SNBL’s facilities and find them in compliance.

The Animal Welfare Institute, a nonprofit in animal-rights group in Washington, D.C., denounced the settlement as too small.