Stop Animal Exploitation Now, based in Ohio, said the 20 violations in 2006 and early 2007 were reported by Charles River Laboratories to federal officials. The animal rights group obtained the information through the Freedom of Information Act.
At the Charles Rivers animal research lab in Sparks, the fingers of two monkeys were caught in the wiring of their cages and a dolly while being moved. The tip of the tail of a third monkey was cut and was treated.
The incidents occurred Nov. 29, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2006.
Amy Cianciaruso, Charles River spokeswoman in Wilmington, Mass., said the company immediately changed procedures to minimize the chance of a recurrence of the injuries and staff were trained on the new procedures.
Federal inspectors found the changes to be appropriate, she said.
Michael A. Budkie, executive director of the animal rights group, said the monkey incidents and untreated skin lesions on several rabbits in a Charles River laboratory in Pennsylvania were the most disturbing.
Budkie last month asked the USDA to impose the largest fine possible, $3,750 per violation, allowed under the Animal Welfare Act.
"When your staff is so incompetent they can't move animals without causing amputation of their fingers, serious action needs to be taken," he said.
Cianciaruso said that, because the incidents were reported by the company and immediately dealt with, the company does not consider them violations.
"Charles River has a deep commitment to animal welfare, and we make every effort to exceed all national standards for the care of research models (animals) under our stewardship," Cianciaruso said.
Charles River Laboratories has done animal research to test and develop drugs since 1947, with about 8,000 employees at 101 facilities, offices and laboratories in 17 countries.
The company has operated a facility in the Sparks industrial area for 15 years. It recently opened another lab in southeast Reno.
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