PETA alleges animal mistreatment at labs

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals alleges an undercover agent documented acts of animal mistreatment at two University of Utah research facilities.

PETA representatives said the agent, identified only as LZ, infiltrated the biomedical labs during an 8-month investigation and captured alleged acts of animal mistreatment on video using hidden cameras, The Salt Lake Tribune said Wednesday.

The alleged incidents occurred from Feb. 12 to Oct. 29. PETA officials said they will file complaints with the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Kathy Guillermo, vice president for laboratory investigations at PETA, said the evidence allegedly showcases unspecified violations as well as a disregard for animals' well-being.

"The ongoing lack of veterinary care means that animals who were already doomed to live and die in laboratories are suffering much more than they have to," Guillermo said.

Tom Parks, vice president for research at the University of Utah, maintains the PETA claims are based on misinterpretations by the undercover agent.

"None of the things she alleges are substantive," Parks told the Tribune. "It's a remarkably banal list of ordinary events in an animal-care facility."