In a highly unusual decision, the Moulton Chinchilla Ranch, a facility that supplied chinchillas for use in research, has been shut down and its owner’s breeding license permanently revoked after being cited for violating the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) more than 100 times. This is the first time in six years that an animal research-related facility was taken to court, an action reserved for extreme cases. A review of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection reports shows a long history of egregious AWA violations, including denying veterinary care to sick and injured animals, failing to provide safe, clean housing, and repeatedly failing to make the facility available to inspectors.

During the hearing, a USDA inspector testified that he had “nightmares” about what he witnessed at the Moulton Chinchilla Ranch and that it became his training tool for “how to deal with the worst-case scenario facilities.”

Chinchillas have been used in hearing research because of their unique qualities. Unfortunately, hundreds of chinchillas suffered in horribly inhumane conditions until the USDA finally took steps to shut down the Moulton Chinchilla Ranch. In order for the AWA to be effective in regulating licensees, the USDA needs to do a better job at acting more quickly when animals are in imminent harm.