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Report: Harvard Fined $24,000 For Care Of Research Monkeys

The U.S. Agriculture Department has fined Harvard Medical School $24,000 for violations in its care of research monkeys.

The fine announced Wednesday concerns 11 alleged violations between February 2011 and July 2012. Three caged monkeys died from accidental dehydration and one became entangled in a chain while playing with a toy.

The Boston Globe reports the USDA has fined about eight other animal research facilities in the past two years among 1,300 it regulates.

Harvard Medical School said it "cares deeply about upholding exemplary standards of care" and feels the penalty was appropriate.

Most of the violations occurred at its New England Primate Research Center in Southborough, which is closing by 2015. A smaller Boston facility will remain open.

Harvard consulted an independent panel last year for recommendations on improvements at its animal research labs.

This program aired on December 18, 2013. The audio for this program is not available.

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