Democratic congressman Shri Thanedar's past as a pharmaceutical company owner has come under scrutiny amid allegations of animal cruelty at his former testing facility.

According to Daily Mail, Thanedar's New Jersey laboratory AniClin Preclinical Services abandoned 118 beagles in 2010 after its parent company Azopharma went bankrupt, leaving the dogs locked inside without adequate care.

Former employees revealed they had to jump fences to provide food and water to the stranded animals.

The dogs had reportedly never been allowed outside and lived in concerning conditions while being subjected to pharmaceutical toxicology tests before the facility's closure.

Disturbing Details Emerge About Laboratory Conditions

Animal rights activists who eventually rescued the beagles painted a heartbreaking picture of their living conditions.

The dogs showed signs of severe confinement and appeared unfamiliar with basic experiences like walking on grass. Local animal welfare groups coordinated efforts to save the abandoned animals and find them new homes.

Following the beagle rescue, a California organization called Defense of Animals negotiated the release of 55 long-tailed macaque monkeys that were also left at the facility. The group had to work with liquidators to prevent the primates from being sold to other testing laboratories.

When questioned about the incident, Thanedar attempted to distance himself from responsibility by claiming Bank of America took control of the facility during bankruptcy proceedings. He insisted no animals were harmed under his direct oversight.

Congressman's Defense Against Animal Cruelty Claims

Rep. Thanedar provided the following statement responding to the allegations:

These attacks are completely false and have been repeatedly litigated. When the lab was closed all of the animals were given to happy homes. In my long business career, I am proud to report that no animal was hurt or died under my watch. In Congress, I have made animal rights a top priority. I have a 100% record in protecting animal rights as a lawmaker, and I was honored to be awarded the Humane Society's highest legislative award not just once, but two years in a row.

The congressman maintains he had no knowledge of how the animals were treated after Bank of America assumed control.

He has positioned himself as an animal lover and emphasized his current legislative record supporting animal rights causes.

Political Implications During Trump Impeachment Push

The resurfacing of the animal testing controversy comes as Thanedar leads an unlikely impeachment effort against President Trump.

The Democratic congressman recently introduced articles of impeachment citing obstruction of justice, bribery, corruption and abuse of power.

With Republicans controlling Congress, political analysts view the impeachment bid as largely symbolic. The GOP majority makes it improbable that formal proceedings would advance to an actual vote.

Thanedar's business background as a wealthy chemist who built his fortune through pharmaceutical testing companies now faces renewed scrutiny amid his high-profile political moves against Trump.

Final Assessment of Animal Welfare Controversy

The abandonment of 118 beagles at Shri Thanedar's former New Jersey testing facility remains a dark chapter in the Democratic congressman's business past. While the animals were eventually rescued by animal welfare groups, serious questions persist about oversight and conditions at the laboratory before its closure.

Though Thanedar maintains his innocence and points to Bank of America's role during bankruptcy proceedings, the incident continues to surface as he pursues ambitious political goals like impeaching President Trump.

His current legislative record supporting animal rights appears aimed at countering the controversial legacy of his pharmaceutical testing business.