Sixteen animals — including 15 baby ferrets and one pig — died during research at Ohio State University after investigators from the USDA found researchers failed to follow proper veterinary protocols, failed to feed or care for vulnerable animals, and used improper anesthesia that resulted in cardiac arrest.

Now the USDA has issued an official warning — but the public deserves more than a warning when living beings suffer and die due to negligence.

We, the undersigned, call on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Ohio State University (OSU) to take immediate and transparent action by:

• Imposing the maximum allowable fines per violation, per animal death, as recommended by Stop Animal Exploitation Now (SAEN)
• Banning all researchers involved in these violations from conducting future animal experiments at OSU
• Releasing full, unredacted inspection reports and internal documentation related to these cases
• Requiring OSU to undergo a third-party audit of all animal research programs and facilities
• Creating a public animal research ethics advisory board, including non-scientist members and animal welfare advocates 

According to the USDA, the baby ferrets were underfed, left to weaken, and suffered extreme weight loss over months. The pig died under anesthesia due to incorrect dosing. This is not just a technical violation — it’s a failure of basic care, oversight, and ethics.

Ohio State’s public defense — that the ferret experiment was led by a visiting researcher — does not absolve the university of responsibility. The animals suffered and died in OSU’s labs, under OSU’s watch, using taxpayer-funded facilities.

Public universities should not be allowed to violate the Animal Welfare Act and walk away with a warning. These animals had no voice. We must be their voice now.

Sign this petition to demand accountability from Ohio State University — and to ensure no more animals suffer needlessly in its labs.