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"Malpractice"
THE ABUSIVE VET
Do Licenses Protect Abusive Veterinarians?
Veterinarians are a special group of professionals. They spend many years
in study and intensive training. To be a Doctor of Veterinary medicine
requires patience, but most of all, trust and compassion. This type of
doctor needs to have a deep love of all animals to be successful. There
has been an increase in complaints against veterinarians abusing animal
patients and it is becoming more common. Companion pets are left by
their trusting guardians in the hands of doctors who may actually be cruel
to them. If you believe that a veterinarian will never intentionally hurt
your companion animal, remember there are documented cases where what goes
on behind closed doors is very different from what is presented in the
exam room. I was employed for a veterinarian when a helpless dog came in
with a broken spine after being hit by a car. Her guardian requested her
to be euthanized. The doctor did not euthanize her but instead inflicted
abuse. I stood there horrified and observed an injured dog endure abuse at
the hands of a man who had sworn an oath to ease suffering and treat with
compassion. She was further subjected to neglect when she was left alone
all night after falling out of her cage. She was unable to walk because of
the injury to her back. Later, an employee stated to me that the
veterinarian threw the dog to the floor from the table during a X-ray.
This dog was not a victim once, but twice; first from a car accident, then
from one individual who swore under oath to relieve the suffering of
animals. I never imagined that it would be difficult to report and to
prove such a horrendous act committed by a veterinarian. After all abuse
is abuse no matter who you are or what title you hold. Or is it? An
increasing number of veterinary employees from all over America have
stated witnessed accounts of veterinary abuse. The witness may have
a feeling of helplessness, not knowing what to do. Some witnesses are
afraid to speak out against a wealthy DVM. More are frustrated because
after filing a complaint, all to often the authorities allow the abuser to
walk away. There are clients who suspect that their pet was abused.
Clients also are left feeling helpless as authorities all too often
sweep such allegations under the rug. When an employee files an allegation
against a veterinarian, people may think that they are angry or in a
disagreement with the vet for whom they worked. A few people, including
the abusive veterinarian, may conveniently label the witness who speaks
out a "disgruntled employee". Of course the abusive vet will use
anything he can to protect his/her image and he or she will always have
the clout of a Veterinarian. In contrast, there is absolutely nothing the
witness will gain by speaking out against a veterinarian who abuses an
animal. The witness employed by the Vet will stand to lose his or her job.
Threats may be made against them. They risk the possibility of being sued
for slander. However, the one thing they will never lose is their
compassion for the abused animals. Many animal patients are voiceless
victims. If the witness speaking out for them is not evidence enough for
authorities to take action, then nothing will ever be. The only witness in
such a case is the human being that speaks out. Authorities must awaken to
recognize that a veterinarian is just as capable of inflicting abuse as
any individual. One should not assume that just because a veterinarian
holds a medical degree and license he or she is innocent of such a crime.
I question why our authorities do not see that it may be easier for a
veterinarian to abuse animals than for a lay person. After all, the vet is
in position -daily - to abuse defenseless animals behind closed doors, if
he or she is inclined to do so. The vet in fact has more opportunity and
means than any other individual who might be inclined to abuse animals.
Two years have gone by since I witnessed a veterinarian's abuse of the dog
with a broken spine. I have in my possession 30 pages of transcribed
verbal statements given by four additional witnesses alleging neglect,
abuse and killing of animals by the same veterinarian. Yet today
this veterinarian is still practicing. To witness veterinarian abuse
of a helpless, suffering and frightened animal is a horrifying
experience. It is not unlike a pediatrician hitting an unsettled, helpless
and frightened child during an office visit. How can anyone find this to
be acceptable?
Submitted by:
Lisa Marie MyREBAdog@att.net
**The purpose of this writing is to educate pet
guardians who may not be aware of what occurs when their pets are left in
the hands of an abusive veterinarian. It is in no way intended to
discriminate against compassionate veterinarians who practice medicine.
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