The United States Department of Agriculture has cited the University of Iowa in connection with a goat that escaped late last month.

An email from spokesperson Stephen Pradarelli said the citation comes as a result of the university self-reporting the animal's escape to federal authorities.

Stop Animal Exploitation Now, an animal rights group, said the citation was for a violation of the Animal Welfare Act regarding improper handling. Pradarelli's email did not specify the specific

SAEN, as it is also known, joins PETA as organizations which have

relating to the escaped goat.

"It is clear that UI's negligence has repeatedly killed animals and allowed at least one escape," said SAEN executive director Michael Budkie. "This lab should be penalized to the fullest extent allowable under the law as a repeat offender."

Both organizations have asked the University of Iowa to release the goat to an animal sanctuary.

The goat, named William by the Coralville Police Department,

in Johnson County.

The goat was found in good health and returned to its research protocol, university officials said at the time.

"The university continues to cooperate with all relevant funding and regulatory agencies and has taken steps to prevent a similar incident from occurring," Pradarelli said.