WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Animals Found Dead in JSC Lab

Animals Found Dead in JSC Lab

Johnson, Vermont - November 4, 2009

The animal lab at Johnson State College is closed-- and closed for good.

A staff member was in Bentley Hall this past August and detected an acrid odor coming from inside the lab. Upon entry, dozens of animals were found dead-- others were malnourished and clinging to life.

"It hadn't been going on long because at the end of Spring semester we had a routine vet check and the animals were doing fine and they were in good shape, so there'd just been this decline in the last couple of months," Johnson State College President Barbara Murphy said.

The director of the lab is now facing criminal charges. Professor John Wrazen is being issued a citation for importation and stocking of wild animals without a permit.

"It's always disturbing when a colleague is involved," said Liz Dolci, the chair of the science department.

The animals were used for demonstration purposes, not research. Most were reptiles or amphibians, everything from snakes and lizards to turtles and salamanders. All in all there were more than 50 animals in the lab representing 38 species. Many that were alive had to be euthanized.

There are no plans to reopen the lab. The remaining animals were donated to a Massachusetts reptile company.

"The vet's report was that some of them had been underfed, under-watered, that's what prompted our decision that you know, there are better places to take care of these reptiles," Murphy explained.

Wrazen is on paid administrative leave.

In the meantime, questions remain as to why he neglected the animals and how conditions deteriorated without being noticed by others in the department.

"Actually, I don't know if any of us have an answer to that," Dolci said.

Clean up costs totaled about $30,000.

John Wrazen couldn't be reached for comment but he's scheduled to appear in court December 22. More than two dozen other animals were also confiscated from his home in Franklin County. Wrazen is facing charges in both counties and could end up paying about $1,400 in fines.

No word yet on any animal cruelty questions. We're told more charges may be coming. The problem is authorities have had a hard time staying in touch with Mr. Wrazen, so at this point they're hesitant to release too many details. We do know Wrazen has also been issued a ticket for having unsanitary living conditions for the animals-- that's a civil a violation.

Keagan Harsha - WCAX News