VPN Plus+ ExclusiveUnderstanding the relationship between veterinarians, animal abuse, and One HealthApril 16, 2025Identifying an abused animal may help prevent the abuse or neglect of a human family member, friend, or even a stranger. This is a genuine One Health concern. Environmental factors, in addition to human and animal risk factors, play a role in the development of cruelty/neglect, and our veterinary intervention may save lives.
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Dog left inside a parked truck rescued, six others found dead in Las VegasJune 12, 2024A 911 call prompted officers of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) to check and rescue animals left locked in cars on a hospital parking lot
Florida vet imposter arrested after causing dog's deathAugust 14, 2023A Florida dog groomer who posed as a veterinarian has been arrested after a Chihuahua he performed a caesarean section on died post-surgery.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveVPN Fireside Chats: Animal cruelty from the lens of forensic veterinary pathologyMay 6, 2021Ayla Musciano, VMD, discusses animal cruelty from the lens of forensic veterinary pathology. Dr. Musciano also provides an overview of animal abuse and neglect, and explores the link between animal abuse and interpersonal violence based on her work in animal crime investigation with law enforcement, veterinary professionals, and forensic scientists.
Pets central in domestic violence campaignSeptember 19, 2019A new campaign from the Banfield Foundation aims to support victims of domestic violence by ensuring the safety of their pets.
Court rejects cat-killing veterinarian's appealJune 4, 2019A Texas veterinarian's request to appeal her suspension and probation for shooting a cat through the head with an arrow has been rejected by that state's Supreme Court. In 2015, Kristen Lindsey shot a feral cat and then bragged about it on social media. In a Facebook post accompanying the photo, Lindsey wrote, "My first bow kill, lol. The only good feral tomcat is one with an arrow through it's [sic] head. Vet of the year award … gladly accepted." A state board in 2016 suspended her veterinary license for one year and placed her on probation for four years. Since her one-year suspension ended in October 2017, Lindsey has been permitted to practice veterinary medicine on a probationary basis. Following that, she attempted to get her sentence overturned in district court and the Texas Third Court of Appeals. Another appeal to challenge the rules dictating her disciplinary action also was pending. In April 2018, she lost both cases and was ordered to pay all costs related to the trial court and the court of appeals. "The Texas Supreme Court now becomes the highest authority in the state to confirm what we've known all along—that Kristen Lindsey is wholly deserving …
New bill allows Florida veterinarians to report suspected abuseMay 7, 2019The Florida Senate has passed a criminal justice bill allowing veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty to authorities without notice to or authorization from the client. Bill 7125 would permit veterinarians to notify law enforcement officers; animal control officers who are trained in animal cruelty investigations, search and seizure, animal handling, courtroom demeanor, and civil citations; or agents dedicated to protecting animals and preventing any act of cruelty, of signs of mistreatment. Currently, veterinarians are required to inform an owner if they are suspicious of animal abuse before going to law enforcement. Under the new bill, the only time veterinarians would be required to inform the client first is if suspected cruelty occurred at a commercial food-producing animal operation on land classified as agricultural. The next step is for the bill to be signed or vetoed by Florida governor, Ron DeSantis.
New federal animal cruelty law introducedFebruary 6, 2019Congressmen Vern Buchanan and Ted Deutch have introduced the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act to outlaw and prosecute those involved in the abuse and killing of animals. PACT builds on the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act passed in 2010 by closing loopholes and prohibiting cases of animal abuse. While the previous legislation made the creation, sale, and distribution of animal "crushing" videos illegal, these acts of cruelty against animals remain legal. "The torture of innocent animals is abhorrent and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law," Buchanan said. "Protecting animals from cruelty is a top priority for me and I look forward to working with Congressman Deutch on this important issue." The new legislation will amend the federal criminal code to prohibit intentional acts of crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling, or otherwise subjecting animals to serious bodily harm. If passed, those prosecuted and convicted will face federal felony charges, fines, and up to seven years in prison. Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF), said, "Decades ago, the Federal Bureau of Investigation recognized the seriousness of animal cruelty and its link to escalating violence toward humans. Representatives Deutch and Buchanan are tremendous …
Animal cruelty charges against St. Catharines vet droppedNovember 3, 2017Animal cruelty charges have been dropped against Dr. Mahavir Rekhi, the veterinarian of Skyway Animal Hospital in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, who made national headlines for animal abuse and was charged with 16 counts of animal cruelty. Dr. Rekhi faced eight counts of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal and eight counts of failing to provide suitable and adequate care for an animal. Rekhi was charged by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) after a group of his former employees approached CTV News Toronto in 2016 with video showing Rekhi choking and hitting animals in his care. The charges were dropped by the state because the OSPCA investigation proceeded without first obtaining a formal complaint. Canada's Crown said that Rekhi already was disciplined from the College of Veterinarians of Ontario; college found him guilty of professional misconduct and suspended him for 10 months. He returned to work at the clinic in February after submitting to retraining and unannounced inspections. Rekhi continues to practice at Skyway Animal Hospital. In videos provided to CTV News Toronto, Rekhi can be seen hitting a dog over its snout with nail clippers …
Study shows difference between accidents and abuse in animalsMay 25, 2016A veterinarian sees a canine patient with severe rib and head injuries whose cause of injury is unknown. Without having witnessed the incident, how can the veterinary professional distinguish an accident from abuse?
