Initial Investigation and Actions
Upon receipt of a reported concern, the ARC Chair, in consultation with the Campus Veterinarian, shall take immediate steps to ameliorate the problem and protect the animals. Such ameliorative steps may range from veterinary medical intervention, confiscation of the animals, and/or cessation of activities at the direction of the Attending Veterinarian, to taking no action other than investigation of the concern. In some cases, involvement by the Institutional Official (IO), legal counsel, and other University officials (e.g., Department Chair) may be required at the outset of the investigation.
In every investigation, the person(s) against whom the complaint has been raised shall be given notice of the concern and provided an opportunity to address the allegations in writing. In addition, if the identity of the reporting party is known, an acknowledgment of receipt shall be given, with an assurance that an investigation is underway.
Following the initial investigation, the ARC Chair shall elect to either immediately bring the matter before the Committee or appoint a Sub-Committee to investigate the allegation. As much information as is reasonably needed will be collected, which may entail review of documents, inspection of the facilities, and/or discussions with pertinent individuals. Although it is beneficial to have a response from the person(s) against whom the complaint has been raised prior to Committee review, timing and severity of allegations may require that such a response be obtained at a later stage of the process.
ARC Investigation
Results of the initial investigation, including all relevant supporting documentation, will be provided to the Committee for consideration at a convened meeting. Based on the information provided, the ARC will determine 1) the nature of the concern as it relates to the USDA Animal Welfare Act and Regulations (AWAR), Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy), and University policy; 2) the need for additional information or actions, including further investigation or notification of other University officials as appropriate; and 3) corrective measures to address the concern and prevent recurrence. In all cases, the person(s) against whom the allegations have been directed will be notified of the ARC's decisions in writing.
Institutional Responses
Institutional responses are influenced by legal requirements, institutional policy, and the nature of the investigative findings. If an alleged violation is verified by the ARC, the Committee is authorized under the USDA AWAR and PHS Policy to suspend a previously approved activity, should such action be warranted. If the ARC suspends an activity involving animals, the IO, in consultation with the ARC, shall review the reasons for suspension and take appropriate corrective action. If the suspension involves PHS-, NSF-, or NASA-funded activities, a report containing a full explanation of the actions taken will be submitted to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW). For suspensions involving USDA-regulated species, a report will be submitted to the USDA and any federal agency funding the activity. Reinstatement of an activity may only be authorized by the ARC at a convened meeting and shall be conveyed in writing to the investigator.
If a PHS-funded activity is not suspended, but the ARC determines that the violation constitutes serious or continuing noncompliance, the ARC, through the IO, shall promptly provide NIH OLAW with a full explanation of the circumstances and actions taken with respect to such cases. [1]
Serious noncompliance may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Conducting procedures involving animal subjects without prior ARC approval, including continuing ongoing research activities with animals beyond the expiration date of the protocol
- Switching from a nonsurvival to a survival surgery without prior ARC approval
- Increasing the invasiveness of a procedure without prior ARC approval
- Changing the animal species without prior ARC approval
- Using additional animals beyond the number specified in the approved protocol
- Conduct of procedures by personnel not adequately trained and/or listed on the approved protocol
- Improper euthanasia techniques, or use of a method of euthanasia not approved for use by the ARC and/or the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia [2]
- Maintaining animals beyond the humane endpoints specified in the approved protocol
- Conducting survival surgeries or housing animals in facilities not approved by the ARC for such use
- Failure to provide anesthesia or analgesia as described in the approved protocol
- Failure to perform adequate post-operative monitoring of animals
- Failure to provide adequate husbandry or veterinary care which seriously affects animals health or welfare
While the USDA AWAR and PHS Policy do not contain specific IACUC-imposed sanctions other than suspension, the IO, in consultation with the ARC, has the authority to impose additional sanctions on an investigator found to be responsible for mistreatment or noncompliance.
If the identity of the complainant is known, he/she will be notified in writing of the completion of the investigation, with an assurance that appropriate remedial action has been taken as applicable.
Confidentiality
Details pertaining to an investigation in progress remain confidential to the extent possible to protect all concerned; however, when the ARC releases the final report of its findings to federal regulatory agencies, those reports may become accessible to the public under the Freedom of Information Act.
For information on reporting procedures, refer to the ARC Policy on Reporting Allegations of Mistreatment or Other Noncompliance Issues.
[1] For additional information on activities that must be reported to OLAW, please refer to OLAW's Guidance on Prompt Reporting to OLAW under the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
[2] Available at the American Veterinary Medical Association web page.
[3] IACUC = Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. At UCLA, the IACUC is referred to as the Chancellor's Animal Research Committee (ARC).
Approved 4/26/04, Revised 10/11/04, 5/24/10, 8/8/22; Updated 8/8/16
Replaces ARC Policy on Reporting, Receiving and Handling Allegations of Mistreatment or Other Noncompliance Issues 2/95