Investigating Concerns Involving Animal Care and Use
Concerns involving general animal care or involving use of animals in research may be presented to any member of the ULAR staff or the IACUC. Each animal facility shall have signs with instructions for persons wishing to report abuse of animals. Signs will have the telephone number and names of the Chair of IACUC and the Director of ULAR. Concerns reported to members of IACUC or to ULAR staff are forwarded to the Director of ULAR or the Chair of IACUC. In addition, individuals who prefer to make an anonymous report may do so using the institution’s anonymous reporting line (see OSU Office of Human Resources Whistleblower Policy 1.40). All anonymous reports relating to animal research are electronically forwarded to the Associate Vice President for Research Compliance who is responsible for forwarding to the Chair of IACUC or the Director of ULAR.
Upon receipt of a concern, the Director of ULAR will contact the Chair of IACUC or vice versa. The Chair of IACUC will appoint a subcommittee which will consist of members of IACUC and depending on the nature of the concern, representatives from ULAR and the Office of Legal Affairs. ORRP staff will support the committee as necessary. The investigation will typically consist of data gathering through interviews with the person forwarding the concern (if known), clinical veterinarians, and, in the case of a concern relative to research activities, the Principal Investigator (PI) and laboratory personnel doing the work. The concern will be evaluated relative to the applicable provisions of the Animal Welfare Act, the Guide, the Institutional Assurance, and IV.C.1.a-g of PHS Policy. Depending on the information gathered, the following actions may be taken:
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If the investigation reveals that animal care and/or use is appropriate and/or no violation of published standards has occurred, no further investigative or corrective action will be taken. The Chair of IACUC will provide notification to the person(s) (if known) originating the concern and will present a report of the concern and findings to the IACUC.
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If the investigation reveals that a deficiency in animal care and/or use or a violation of published standards has occurred that is not serious or continuing, the responsible personnel will be notified of the problem along with recommended corrective action(s). A schedule of monitoring will be developed to assure that appropriate changes are implemented. The Chair of IACUC will provide notification to the person(s) (if known) originating the concern and will present a report of the concern and findings to the IACUC.
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If the investigation reveals that a deficiency in animal care and/or use or a violation of published standards has occurred that may be serious and/or continuing, the subcommittee and, at the subcommittee's discretion, consultant(s) with appropriate expertise, will assess whether discontinuation of use of animals is required to remedy the situation. If the subcommittee determines that the problem will be rapidly corrected through training and/or behavioral changes, it will provide such recommendations to the responsible personnel along with a schedule of monitoring to ensure that appropriate change is implemented. The Investigator may also be asked to voluntarily discontinue work until corrections have been verified. Report of the situation will be made to the person(s) (if known) originating the concern, IACUC, appropriate federal agencies, and appropriate Department Chairs, University Officials, and the Institutional Official.
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If the subcommittee determines that a serious and/or continuing problem will not be rapidly corrected through training and/or behavioral changes, it will refer the situation to the full IACUC for consideration of suspension of the use of animals. The IACUC may suspend an activity only after a review of the matter at a convened meeting of a quorum of the IACUC and with a suspension vote by a majority of the members present. If the IACUC suspends an activity, the Institutional Official in consultation with the IACUC will review the reasons for suspension, take appropriate corrective action, and report that action with a full explanation to the appropriate federal agencies. Report of the action will also be made to appropriate funding agencies, Department Chairs, University Officials, and the person(s) (if known) originating the concern.
