The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a warning to Ohio State University for allegedly violating federal laws for anesthetizing an animal.
In April, a pig involved in a study at OSU had a heart attack while under deep anesthesia and died.
Ohio State spokesman Ben Johnson said the pig didn't regain consciousness and didn't suffer. He said that Ohio State investigated the death and shared information with the USDA.
People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, better known as PETA, released a statement about the incident, accusing OSU of having veterinary staff that doesn't know how to operate anesthesia equipment.
"Killing animals accidentally before killing them on purpose indicates that the school should stop tormenting animals altogether and shift immediately to state-of-the-art animal-free research methods that will actually help humans," PETA's statement reads.
The animal rights organization also urged the National Institutes of Health to cut off funding to the university's research.
Ohio State's Johnson noted that the school only received a warning, not a finding of a violation. The warning itself echoes that sentiment, adding, "If APHIS obtains evidence of any future violation of these federal regulations, APHIS may pursue sanctions, which may include criminal prosecution."
Johnson said Ohio State follows all regulations and ethical guidelines for animal research.
"At each step of the process, from training to experimental design to animal care, the university strives to provide excellent care and minimize discomfort, distress and pain," Johnson wrote in a statement.
