PETA sues UW-Madison over animal research records

The Virginia-based national group

(Although the complaint for the lawsuit was filed today, there was a defect that needs to be corrected before it is accepted, according to the Dane County Clerk of Courts office. Some missing addresses need to be added.)

According to the complaint (PDF), PETA representative Chelsea Rhodes made her initial request for several categories of records in January 2009. But it was not until last September that the UW released all of the information it earlier agreed to release.

PETA is challenging the UW's decision to withhold some records, including the photos and videos, and arguing that redactions made to other records were more extensive than what the UW had indicated it would make. For instance, it says the UW withheld information on the "training and experience of personnel, as set forth in research protocols," without explaining a public policy basis for doing so, as the law requires.

"Respondents have violated the Wisconsin Open Records Law by failing to fully fill the Petitioner's request, despite the fact that they have responsive documents and materials," the suit alleges. It asks that a court order the release of the withheld records and hold the UW responsible for the group's legal costs, as the law allows.

It is the second time in less than a month that PETA has gone to court in a matter involving the UW-Madison. In mid-March the group joined with the local Alliance for Animals in filing a petition asking a judge to authorize criminal charges against the university for decompression experiments that resulted in the death of sheep.

A hearing on this earlier case was held last Friday by Dane County Judge Amy Smith. She is expected to issue a written decision in the next several weeks.

Besides Lane, who as assistant director of the UW's Animal Resources Center serves as its designed records custodian, the suit filed today names as a codefendant the UW Board of Regents. The attorneys for Rhodes and PETA include Leslie Hamilton, a member of the local