UW-Madison lab cited for burned cat

Federal inspectors have cited a University of Wisconsin-Madison research lab after a cat was burned.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture noted in the lab's records that a hand warmer keeping the cat warm slipped onto its leg and burned it last April.

The director of the Research Animal Resources Center, Eric Sandgren, said the cat was treated at the time of the injury and that preventive measures have been taken. The lab was cited, but no penalties were issued.

USDA spokesman David Sacks told the Journal Sentinel the citation was issued after the agency looked into complaint from the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals about chronic infections and other problems with the cats.