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Battelle Biomedical Research Center Accused Of Abusing Animals

Animal activists are criticizing Battelle Biomedical Research Center in Columbus for allegedly abusing guinea pigs. The watchdog group called Stop Animal Exploitation Now has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, saying Battelle officials were negligent in allowing guinea pigs to die at the hands of unqualified staffers. A USDA report says a guinea pig drowned in August after  leaking water flooded its cage and another died in December after it was left in a cage that was steam cleaned. The report says Battelle reported the deaths and procedures were changed to prevent similar mistreatment in the future. The facility faces several thousand dollars in fines if the group's allegations are found to be true.

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.