Cleveland Clinic Warned Over Dog Death
Associated Press, February 6, 2007

CLEVELAND - The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Tuesday it had ended its investigation of a dog's death at the Cleveland Clinic and issued a warning to the hospital.

The USDA decided a warning was sufficient because the clinic reported itself, cooperated with an inspector and has a history of compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, USDA spokesman Darby Holladay said.

A doctor induced an aneurysm in the dog Jan. 10 to demonstrate a medical device to a group of salespeople. The mixed-breed dog was anesthetized during the demonstration and had to be euthanized afterward because of the damage caused by the aneurysm.

A federal investigator concluded that the doctor requested the animal without specifying that it would be used for sales training. The clinic said the procedure wasn't authorized. The hospital bans such use of animals.

The clinic has barred the doctor, who has not been identified, from performing animal research for two years.

The USDA warned that if the clinic fails to comply with the Animal Welfare Act in the future, it will face fines and other penalties.