Primate Products Inc. exposed on NBC Miami 6 (WTVJ)

NBC Miami Exposes Primate Products Inc. Cruelty.
By:Jeff Burnside
-Internal photos show severely injured primates-
The public is getting a rare, if unsettling, glimpse inside an animal research facility right here in South Florida after ten internal photos of severely injured primates fell into the hands of animal activists.

When it comes to experimentation on live animals, emotions and opinions run the gamut. Are animals still used unnecessarily? Isn't it worth saving human lives?

The ten photos don't answer these questions. But they are certainly sparking a very public debate.

Primate Products, located in a non-descript warehouse in Doral, imports primates from around the world and sells them to animal research labs. They're also licensed for research, according to the USDA.

The photos depict bloodied, lifeless primates in a surgical setting, deep gashes on skulls, an open wound on an arm, and you can see reddish or inflamed areas on the hindquarters in one photo.

The photos got into the hands of animal activist groups, initially The Animal Liberation Investigative Unit, Stop Animal Exploitation Now, and SMASH HLS, who reposted them on various websites.

"Yeah, it's horrendous," says Don Anthony, spokesperson for the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida. ARFF and one other group filed formal complaints with federal inspectors over the animal welfare act.

"We are demanding that the USDA, the Department of Agriculture, do an immediate and thorough investigation," said Anthony.

Top USDA officials, including Eastern Regional Director Betty Goldentyer, confirmed that its inspectors will, based on the photos and complaints, go visit the facility and investigate.

The president of Primate Products, Don Bradford, confirmed that the photos are real, they were taken from inside the facility, and the animals in the images are not dead.

Bradford declined an interview. But in an email exchange, he said "the pictures are those our veterinary staff took to document the medical treatment to animals that were injured by other animals...." He continued, "they are completely healed, healthy, beautiful animals."

Do animal activists believe him?

"Those pictures tell a different story," says Anthony.

Animal activists have picketed Primate Products previously, even Bradford's home and Country Club. Bradford accuses them of links to violent extremists.

But the activists say regardless of how the animals in the photos were injured, it reveals the unsettling world of using live animals for medical and other scientific research.

"They don't want you to know at any of these facilities to know what goes on," Anthony says, "because it is so gruesome and so disturbing, if more people knew about it, they'd be against it."

The Primate Products president says he welcomes the inspectors. The USDA says Primate Products has not had any enforcement action taken against them in the past.

Still, animal activists say they will picket again September 7th. The USDA says their report will become public 21 days after it is completed.
NOTE:Copyright disclaimer--"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Primate Products
• Animal Testing
• Animal research
• Animal Cruelty
• Leaked photos
• Animal Research Facility
• Miami FL
• primates
• nonhuman primates
• non human primates
• primate
• monkey
• vivisectors
• vivisection
• Doral FL
• Anti-Vivisection
• HLS
• Stop Animal Exploitation Now
• NIO
• SMASH HLS
• USDA
• Don Bradford
• animal activists
• ARA
• animal rights animal activists

[NotSoOldHippy]

This has been a great exposure of these fucking scumbag animal torturers.

[1221solstice2012]

The only "violent extremists" and psycho/sociopaths are the people who do these things to animals, as well as their willing supporters. Sure those animals could have injured each other...they are in a HELL and are driven insane by being locked up in cages with human monsters in attendance. There is a price to pay for all this...how I would LOVE to see the facial expressions on the monsters when they realize this. Would love even more to be one of the punishers. "Humanity" sucks, diseased.

[beaelliott]

Totally unacceptable! These facilities need to be shut down!!!

[victorhazzard]

i love that they found a picture of the douchebag cartoonishly holding a cigar.

[kimberlily1983]

"The USDA says Primate Products have not had any enforcement actions taken against them in the recent past."

People need to learn to dissect the media. Recent past - what about the not so recent past? And more importantly, even if the reporter was saying no enforcement actions had ever been taken, this doesn't mean cruelty isn't happening. It means regulatory agencies are ineffective: they either don't investigate, or they do a poor job of it. The money isn't there, and the apathy is rampant.

[animalliberation0961]

Long live ALF!

[bibimarlou]

This is SHOCKING, only disturbed people mistreat animals !!!!

PLEASE LET ANIMAL CRUELTY STOP FOREVER !!!

[lilisigel]

Animal research is a monstrosity and a shame for the so called '' civilized society ''. It is a hideous and barbarian practice, those researchers are the most primitive and cruel subhumans on this planet. Torturing innocents everyday ..... and they are paid for that ...... we need to change this world and fast.

Thank you for posting.

[Soulisscool]

When will they pharmaceuticals and those 'researchers' that use animals be honest and admit that using animals is fraudulent science and harms humans? The evidence, although mostly brushed under the carpet, is overwhelming with prescription drugs being the fourth biggest killer in the western world.

[FightForTheInnocent]

fucking hate it when they investigate. 99% of the time the lab staff just clears up before the detectives come and bingo! they get away with murder.

[piratequeen357]

There's something scary about your product if you have to test them on animals. Is there so little confidence in your product? If they do, why not use the most accurate tests possible?