HEIDELBERG, Miss. — The animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the Oct. 28 truck crash in Jasper County that caused the escape of eight rhesus macaque monkeys.
According to PETA, the crash inflicted considerable damage to the transport trailer and crates, resulting in injuries to the monkeys. Police reportedly shot five of the eight monkeys, while civilians killed two others; one monkey was captured alive after eight days.
PETA alleges that the surviving monkeys lacked necessary veterinary care required by federal law. The group claims that employing firearms to euthanize the monkeys breached USDA-approved protocols. The complaint further alleges violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including unsafe transport conditions and lack of temperature control.
Documents obtained by PETA indicate that the monkeys were being transported from Tulane University’s National Primate Research Center in Louisiana to BIOQUAL Inc. in Rockville, Maryland, a laboratory with a history of Animal Welfare Act violations. Wildlife Transportation Facilitators, responsible for the transport, has been previously cited for unsafe practices. Tulane University has faced multiple federal citations for inadequate animal housing, while PreLabs, a dealer associated with the monkeys, has been cited for welfare violations.
Public health concerns have also been raised, as the monkeys were screened for tuberculosis using an outdated test that may miss infections. Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel, PETA’s senior science advisor, emphasized the moral obligation for accountability in this incident.
The USDA has not confirmed whether an investigation will be initiated concerning the crash or the involved companies.