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So, in Pa. we're passing a law that stipulates only licensed vets can perform surgery on dogs-necessary because in the past the puppymillers could legally perform barbaric surgeries on their dogs (no anestheisa for c-sections with dogs stitched back up with twine, de-barking by shoving a pipe down the dogs throat, etc).
Well this is what we get:
04-02-09 -- Veterinarian Cited for Cruelty
Accused of amputating puppy's tail without anesthesia.
By: Susan E. Lindt, Lancaster Intelligencer Journal
A veterinarian to some of the county's largest breeding kennels has been charged with animal cruelty for allegedly mutilating a puppy's tail.
Thomas F. Stevenson of Twin Valley Veterinary Clinic in Honey Brook was charged Friday with the first-degree misdemeanor for treatment he gave to a 9-week-old poodle mix on March 10 at Country Lane Kennels, a New Providence kennel owned by Samuel E. King.
A police affidavit states that an undercover humane police officer watched Stevenson treat the puppy's already-mutilated and bleeding tail by "soaking it in scalding water and cutting it with a pair of tin snips (shears) without sedation or prior numbing of the tail."
The affidavit stated that the officer "observed the puppy in immense pain as the tail was mutilated further. The puppy was screaming and trying to get away during the mutilation of the tail."
Reached Wednesday by telephone, Stevenson said he "remembered the case" of a poodle-mix puppy at King's kennel but declined further comment.
The police affidavit states that, acting on a tip, Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals sent the undercover officer to King's kennel at 223 Refton Road, where King and Stevenson were attending to the puppy's infected, mutilated and bleeding tail. The affidavit states that King said he cut the puppy's tail while grooming it the day before. The officer noted she saw no evidence that the puppy had been groomed, as its hair was long, curly and matted with feces and the open wound was covered with feces and hair.
If convicted of animal cruelty, the state Board of Veterinary Medicine could revoke or suspend Stevenson's license to practice veterinary medicine.
A preliminary hearing for Stevenson has yet to be scheduled.
King also was charged with one count of mutilation after he sold the puppy to the undercover officer and a PSPCA vet later determined its tail was improperly amputated. Both men face up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
King also faces a raft of other charges related to two separate incidents.
On March 10, an anonymous rescue group delivered to PSPCA 10 dogs allegedly from Country Lane Kennels. The affidavit states the dogs were examined by PSPCA vet Rachel Lee, who found they needed veterinary care and were kept in unsanitary conditions.
In relation to those dogs, King is charged with four summary counts of not providing adequate veterinary care and five summary counts of confining dogs in unsanitary conditions.
The state Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement also filed seven citations against King for alleged unsafe conditions and practices at his kennel during a March 6 inspection. King had 179 dogs at his kennel at that time, but is licensed by the state to house up to 500.
According to Warden Kristen Reed's inspection report, King refused to allow her access to his kennels and "threatened" her until she called state police to the scene. The report stated that King acquiesced to the inspection, but then attempted to correct infractions while Reed was conducting the inspection.
Reed cited King for refusing access. He also was charged for selling underage puppies and not keeping accurate rabies vaccination and sales records. Charges also addressed alleged unsanitary and unsafe kennel conditions, including sharp, uncoated wood and wire pieces in the kennels; rodent infestation; wire flooring through which dogs' feet can fall; feeders and food contaminated with feces, hair and debris; and allowing feces to accumulate in and under cages.
The March 6 inspection was a follow-up to a Feb. 5 inspection, during which Reed ordered King to get vet care and grooming for several dogs and cited him for multiple infractions.
In 2000, King pleaded guilty when the Bureau cited him for operating his kennel without a state-issued license. That infraction was followed by dozens of citations over the years for unsanitary kennel conditions and refusing wardens access to inspect, to which King mostly pleaded guilty and paid fines.
In January 2008, the Bureau and King's attorney came to an agreement that allowed King to continue his breeding business as long as he agreed to abide by all the rules, including allowing access for typically required Bureau inspections throughout the year or face losing his operating license.
Well this is what we get:
04-02-09 -- Veterinarian Cited for Cruelty
Accused of amputating puppy's tail without anesthesia.
By: Susan E. Lindt, Lancaster Intelligencer Journal
A veterinarian to some of the county's largest breeding kennels has been charged with animal cruelty for allegedly mutilating a puppy's tail.
Thomas F. Stevenson of Twin Valley Veterinary Clinic in Honey Brook was charged Friday with the first-degree misdemeanor for treatment he gave to a 9-week-old poodle mix on March 10 at Country Lane Kennels, a New Providence kennel owned by Samuel E. King.
A police affidavit states that an undercover humane police officer watched Stevenson treat the puppy's already-mutilated and bleeding tail by "soaking it in scalding water and cutting it with a pair of tin snips (shears) without sedation or prior numbing of the tail."
The affidavit stated that the officer "observed the puppy in immense pain as the tail was mutilated further. The puppy was screaming and trying to get away during the mutilation of the tail."
Reached Wednesday by telephone, Stevenson said he "remembered the case" of a poodle-mix puppy at King's kennel but declined further comment.
The police affidavit states that, acting on a tip, Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals sent the undercover officer to King's kennel at 223 Refton Road, where King and Stevenson were attending to the puppy's infected, mutilated and bleeding tail. The affidavit states that King said he cut the puppy's tail while grooming it the day before. The officer noted she saw no evidence that the puppy had been groomed, as its hair was long, curly and matted with feces and the open wound was covered with feces and hair.
If convicted of animal cruelty, the state Board of Veterinary Medicine could revoke or suspend Stevenson's license to practice veterinary medicine.
A preliminary hearing for Stevenson has yet to be scheduled.
King also was charged with one count of mutilation after he sold the puppy to the undercover officer and a PSPCA vet later determined its tail was improperly amputated. Both men face up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
King also faces a raft of other charges related to two separate incidents.
On March 10, an anonymous rescue group delivered to PSPCA 10 dogs allegedly from Country Lane Kennels. The affidavit states the dogs were examined by PSPCA vet Rachel Lee, who found they needed veterinary care and were kept in unsanitary conditions.
In relation to those dogs, King is charged with four summary counts of not providing adequate veterinary care and five summary counts of confining dogs in unsanitary conditions.
The state Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement also filed seven citations against King for alleged unsafe conditions and practices at his kennel during a March 6 inspection. King had 179 dogs at his kennel at that time, but is licensed by the state to house up to 500.
According to Warden Kristen Reed's inspection report, King refused to allow her access to his kennels and "threatened" her until she called state police to the scene. The report stated that King acquiesced to the inspection, but then attempted to correct infractions while Reed was conducting the inspection.
Reed cited King for refusing access. He also was charged for selling underage puppies and not keeping accurate rabies vaccination and sales records. Charges also addressed alleged unsanitary and unsafe kennel conditions, including sharp, uncoated wood and wire pieces in the kennels; rodent infestation; wire flooring through which dogs' feet can fall; feeders and food contaminated with feces, hair and debris; and allowing feces to accumulate in and under cages.
The March 6 inspection was a follow-up to a Feb. 5 inspection, during which Reed ordered King to get vet care and grooming for several dogs and cited him for multiple infractions.
In 2000, King pleaded guilty when the Bureau cited him for operating his kennel without a state-issued license. That infraction was followed by dozens of citations over the years for unsanitary kennel conditions and refusing wardens access to inspect, to which King mostly pleaded guilty and paid fines.
In January 2008, the Bureau and King's attorney came to an agreement that allowed King to continue his breeding business as long as he agreed to abide by all the rules, including allowing access for typically required Bureau inspections throughout the year or face losing his operating license.
