California: After family's Springer Spaniel is attacked by a Pit Bull in his own yard, one vet after another fails them

CALIFORNIA -- Just want to share more about Rowdy’s story and why he means so much to our family. Barry and I raised our three kids, Josh, Jeremy and Lesli with Landy, who was my Springer Spaniel puppy when Barry and I met.

She was a huge part of our family and was 14 years old when she left us. We loved her so much.

Jeremy and Kristen started their family the same way... Jeremy had his Chester boy, a sweet funny rescue pup who was part of the package when they were married. Unbelievably, they lost Chester when an owl snatched him from his new backyard just after they moved to their new home, breaking their hearts.

In an effort to restore the tragic loss of Jeremy and Kristen’s beloved family pet, Barry knew it had to be what we called a Landy dog... and Rowdy arrived! What should have been great times for all with this rambunctious puppy, turned horrific when we lost Barry just four weeks later...

Rowdy has been such a comfort and helped fill the void of not having Barry and was the last gift Jeremy received from his dad...

Unfortunately on Christmas Eve Rowdy was Attacked by a pit bull in his own backyard. 

Jeremy didn’t see the attack but knew something was wrong and rushed him to a vet that night but the vet didn’t shave him and told Jeremy it was bruised muscles, gave him tramadol and some anti inflammatory meds, said he’ll be fine in a few days.

Jeremy even called back 36 hours later and said it seemed like he was swollen and they said it’s normal, the next morning he started to bleed out his wounds that we never saw until they had abscessed.

That was when Jeremy rushed him to the 2nd hospital that promised him they had it under control and he’d be fine under they’re care, again another flawed treatment.

Jeremy’s not a doctor and has never dealt with something like this. After realizing Rowdy was in terrible shape we rushed him to a 3rd emergency vet clinic where they told him it was too late and Rowdy wasn’t going to make it, he was in septic shock and his kidneys were shutting down.

Jeremy was absolutely crushed and demanded they try anything possible, the doctor agreed to try a blood transfusion and luckily it gave Rowdy an extra day to be able to be transferred to a critical care facility in Ontario CA.

Again the Doctors said it was about a 25% chance he’d make it but Jeremy insisted on trying everything they could to bring Rowdy back to life, he’s now been under they’re care for several days and has beat every odd thrown at him.

At one point they said it was time to end the battle, Jeremy, Kristen along with Reed and Ella, Kristens dad Rick, Lesli and myself we prepared to say our last good bye and Rowdy gave us one last bursts of energy sat up wagged his tail and gave us all the look of “don’t give up on me” so we asked for the doctor to examine him and sure enough the doctor said “he is the strongest dog I’ve ever seen in his condition let’s give this another day”.

Rowdy has now made some much needed improvements, his Liver and kidneys have started coming back to life! Rowdy wants to live and is a walking miracle, we can’t lose him and are going to fight this as long as Rowdy is able, that being said this fight is coming at a huge financial burden and if you feel lead to help support Rowdy’s fight our family greatly appreciates your help.

UPDATES:
#1
Thank you for all of you prayers and support. Rowdy will need months of care to bring him back from this...but he has proven over and over he wants his life back and we will do anything to make sure he has it.

No donation to help Rowdy is too small please give?? This family needs your help!! Thank you.

#2
All checked in for another sleep over with my dude, doc called me a few hours ago with good news, said his wounds have stopped spreading and it looks like the antibiotics are finally killing whatever bacteria is in the wounds, it’s a small step but at least it’s a good sign his immune system is working, next big hurdle is to get his liver and kidneys to start healing, they are worse then yesterday but they’ll do another blood test around 4am to see where his levels are at, if they can at least stop them from getting worse that’ll give us a good sign the drugs are starting to win and Rowdy’s winning the battle.

#3
Absolutely amazed at the surprise they had for me, he’s doing so good after having some food in his system for 24hrs, still along way to go but he’s surpassing every expectation the doctor had for him. #prayforRowdy #heiswinning #thelongroadhome

#4
Whooooooo hooooooo good news!!! Kidneys have dropped from 4.8 to 2.7! And liver has dropped from 6.6 to 4.6!!! This is a huge step in his recovery, he’s going to make it!! We have a lot more work but the most important was getting his organs functioning.

Every donation helps Rowdy’s family afford his much needed care. He’s been in the hospital since Christmas Eve... this is an ongoing process to bring him back to his happy self... thank you for your donations, prayers, and support ??


GoFundMe: Please Help Rowdy
Created January 1, 2018
JS
Jeremy Swanson
  Animals
  SAN DIMAS, CA
(From Jeremy’s mom)

Maryland: Veterinarian Gregory Burbelo charged With Animal Cruelty, Threatening Employees

MARYLAND -- A Baltimore veterinarian has been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty and witnesses intimidation while working at an animal hospital.

Baltimore Police say Dr. Gregory Burbelo (aka Greg Burbelo), 57, was involved in several incidents at the Boston Street Animal Hospital in October and November.

Burbelo no longer works at the vet clinic

On Oct. 28, authorities say Burbelo attacked a dog.

On Nov. 3, Burbelo allegedly used his hands to attack a dog inside the hospital.

On the same day, Burbelo is accused of using a clipboard to attack another dog.

Investigators believe Burbelo also threatened several hospital employees if they came forward to report the attacks.

Burbelo, of the 400 block of Overbrook Road, was arrested on Tuesday and has been charged with several counts of animal cruelty, felony aggravated animal cruelty and witness intimidation related charges.

(CBS Local - Dec 15, 2017)

Florida: Veterinarian Gail Nichols and her husband Paul Smith arrested for felony animal cruelty

FLORIDA -- On August 22, 2017, Polk County Sheriff's Agricultural Crimes Detectives arrested 66-year-old Dr. Gail Anne Nichols (DVM) of 3211 West Bella Vista Street in Lakeland, and her husband, 74-year-old Paul Craig Smith, and charged them both with three counts felony animal cruelty (F-3), one count misdemeanor animal cruelty (M-1), and five counts confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or shelter (M-1), after conducting an investigation and seizing 28 miniature horses, 2 full-sized horses, and 8 dogs from their home that were neglected.

The investigation began when PCSO received a tip about animals not being properly cared for at the home. During the investigation, Dr. Nichols told deputies that she practices veterinary medicine part-time at Gulfport Veterinary Hospital, in Gulfport, and Animal Emergency of Pasco, in Port Richey.

The animals found at her home are personally owned by her, and not affiliated with a veterinary practice.

"The fact that a practicing, licensed veterinarian caused so much suffering to her own animals is extremely concerning. We hope from this point forward she is not allowed to own, or treat, any more animals." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

The following are excerpts from their affidavits, and are self-explanatory:

On 08/17/17 at approximately 1115 hours, an investigation of animal neglect and cruelty revealed owner, Dr. Gale Nichols and her husband/co-defendant, Paul Smith, did intentionally confine 28 miniature horses, 2 full sized horses, 8 dogs and 2 birds, and failed to supply the animals with necessary medical and basic standard of care. The animals suffered as a result.

A search warrant was applied for, granted, and executed on this same date based upon the findings listed above.

A search of the property, which was surrounded by fence, and residence revealed five of the eight dogs were living in cages inside the main residence without access to water. The residence emitted a very strong odor of ammonia, was infested with rats and had clutter piled to the ceiling with small pathways for walking. The home was without air conditioning and uninhabitable for humans. 

Nichols and Smith were each residing in separate travel trailers on the property. One emaciated dog was loose and could access the house and back yard and two others were inside Smith's travel trailer.

Two Macaw type parrots were found inside the front porch of the residence in filthy dirty cages. The parrots were both missing feathers on their chest.

A search of the front pasture revealed 18 miniature horses were confined to a dirt pasture, with access to hay. 2 full sized horses were housed in a side (North West) dirt pasture with no access to grass or hay. 10 additional miniature horses were found in a back dirt pasture with no hay or grass. All had access to water.

Three of the horses were found to have hooves that were severely overgrown to the point they were spiraled upwards causing the horses lameness.

One of the three horses had one overgrown hoof facing backward and one overgrown hoof facing forward. Another was found to be only able to amble on three legs after suffering an untreated injury. The remaining horse appeared emaciated, malnourished and in poor health.

The animals were seized and removed to PCSO Animal Control and evaluated by PCSO Veterinarian, Dr. Abbe Degroat. Dr. Degroat determined three of the miniature horses would require euthanasia based upon their X-rays of their hooves and prognosis. A second veterinarian, Dr. Katie Hennessy of Polk Equine, also evaluated the three miniature horses and she too recommended euthanasia based upon her findings.

The medical analysis revealed miniature horse #29, described as a black and white paint mare, approximately 3 years old, was suffering from severely overgrown front hooves that spiraled upward. An X-ray of the hooves revealed the horse's coffin bone (bottom bone in the leg that is encased by the hoof) was dissolved away due to lack of blood supply from the overgrown hooves. This was causing the animal chronic lameness, pain and suffering which resulted in the death of the animal by humane euthanasia.

Horse #23, described as a black and white paint filly, approximately 8 months old, was found to be suffering from severely over grown front hooves that had turned upward in what's known as an "elf shoe" appearance. The right front hoof appeared to be a deformity that was never addressed and was facing the opposite direction. The horse was suffering from severe arthritis, a dislocation and permanent lameness. It was determined this animal was caused chronic pain and suffering which resulted in the death of the animal by humane euthanasia.

Horse #51, described as a Dun colored filly, approximately 11 months old, was suffering from an untreated injury. The filly was a lame and non-weight bearing on her left front leg. An x-ray revealed a wire was tightly wrapped around her pastern bone (leg bone). It appeared the wire had grown embedded in through the skin. This caused the leg to become swollen at the top due to lack of blood flow. This was causing the animal chronic lameness, pain and suffering which resulted in the death of the animal by humane euthanasia.

Horse #54, described as a liver/white dapple palomino colored mare, approximately 3 years old, was suffering from severely overgrown and spiraled out front hooves. This was causing lameness. The x-rays revealed no permanent damage and a specialized trimming of the hooves over time would be necessary. This animal suffered unnecessarily because of the lack of care provided by the suspects.

Horse #26, described as a palomino/white colored filly, approximately 9 months to a year old, was suffering from parasites and malnutrition. It appeared emaciated with its bone structure felt through her thick coat. Her coat appeared dull and dry and old dried feces was matted in her tail. Her mane and forelock were matted and knotted. She was also suffering from muscle wasting on her back hips. Her hooves were overgrown in the front. Thrush (a fungal infection) was found in her back left hoof and had dissolved her frog (soft underside of the hoof). This animal suffered unnecessarily because of the lack of care provided by the suspects.

Dog #38, "Price" is described as a senior (10yrs old +) grey in color Greyhound type. This dog appeared extremely emaciated with all of his bone structure visible. He was found to be 10-15 lbs. underweight. He was suffering from a flea infestation which caused him red and inflamed skin. His body and ears were exceptionally dirty. This animal suffered unnecessarily because of the lack of care provided by the suspects.

Dog #39, "Flower", is described as an approximately 4-5 year old brown/white female Greyhound type. She was suffering from a severe flea infestation, red inflamed skin and significant tarter on her teeth. She tested positive for parasites; Hookworms and Whipworm. Flower was found caged inside the residence without access to water. This animal suffered unnecessarily because of the lack of care provided by the suspect.

Dog #43, "Paige", is described as a senior aged white/brindle Whippet type. She was suffering from flea infestation, red inflamed skin, and severely overgrown nails. She was also suffering from three untreated mammary tumors on her breast. Paige was found caged inside the residence without access to water. This animal suffered unnecessarily because of the lack of care provided by the suspects.

The remaining 3 dogs (#40, #41 and #42) were caged inside the house without access to water, tested positive for parasites, fleas, and overgrown nails, tarter and lack of a basic standard of care. Dogs #44 and #45 were located inside Smith's travel trailer with access to food and water.

Some horses were found with unkempt matted manes and tails, some with dried fecal matter entangled in their tails.

Based upon the outcome of the medical evaluations, the overall wellbeing and lack of care of the animals and conditions, and the unnecessary suffering of the animals, both Nichols and Smith were charged with animal neglect and animal cruelty.

Suspects Gail Nichols and Paul Smith were charged with 3 counts of felony animal cruelty for horses numbered #29, #23 and #51. Both suspects were charged with a misdemeanor animal cruelty for horse number #54. They were charged with a misdemeanor animal neglect for horse #26. They were charged with misdemeanor animal neglect for dog number #38. They were charged a misdemeanor animal neglect for dog #39. They were charged with a misdemeanor animal neglect for dog #43. As well as one count overall neglect for dogs (#40, #41, and #42).

The suspects were both booked into the Polk County Jail on the aforementioned charges, and both were released after posting bond - the three felony charges had $1,000 bond each, and the six misdemeanor charges had $500 bond each.

The animals are being housed at PCSO facilities, pending custody hearings. The suspects are petitioning the court to retain ownership of the animals.

POLK COUNTY SHERIFF VIDEO CLIP:

ARREST INFO:

Full Name: Gail Anne Nichols
Date:08/22/2017
Total Bond: $6000
Arrest Age:66
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthdate: 03/23/1951
Height: 5'09"
Weight: 200 lbs
Location: Polk County, Florida

Full Name: Paul Craig Smith
Date:08/22/2017
Total Bond: $6000
Arrest Age:74
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthdate: 11/24/1942
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 200 lbs
Location: Polk County, Florida

(Polk Sheriff's Office - August 23, 2017)

New Hampshire: Veterinarian's signature contradicts medical exams on Great Danes in Tina Fay animal cruelty case

NEW HAMPSHIRE -- While officials examine evidence they believe proves a woman abused dozens of Great Danes and operated an illegal business in her Wolfeboro mansion, the town’s police chief said this week his department will begin looking into whether others were involved in the alleged crime, including at least one veterinarian.

Wolfeboro police Chief Dean Rondeau said he’s “interested” that health certificates were signed by Dr. Kate Battenfelder of Bartlett, giving some dogs high marks for their physical condition, and that a subsequent examination conducted shortly after by Dr. Monique Kramer, who’s affiliated with the North Conway Humane Society, found that those same dogs were suffering from contagious diseases, according to court documents.

“There are severe discrepancies between what one veterinarian has said and what the other had observed almost immediately after the examinations were completed by the first doctor,” Rondeau said in a telephone interview. “Obviously we’re very interested in all of this.”

Christina Fay was arrested in mid-June and charged with two counts of cruelty to animals. Police found 75 Great Danes living in Fay’s $1.5 million mansion, with feces, urine and maggot-infested food everywhere.

 

Some dogs were kept in small cages while others roamed free. They had access to very little water, and were later diagnosed with an array of health problems and illnesses, including blindness, skin infections, contagious diseases, cuts and malnutrition.

Interviewed shortly after the arrest was made, Rondeau called the scene a “Petri dish.” Fay waived her arraignment this week and is scheduled for trial Oct 25.

Raised in an affluent family, Fay had lived in New York City and Maine, and moved to Wolfeboro two years ago. Soon, she began advertising her business, De La Sang Monde Great Danes, online, attracting pure bred Great Danes from around the world. Puppies were sold for thousands of dollars. Five later died, according to an affidavit.

 

 

Three veterinarians were listed as part of the business, including Battenfelder, and Deirdre Frey and Ezra Steinberg, both of whom practice in Maine.

According to court documents, four complaints about barking dogs at Fay’s home were filed with police between September 2016 and May 2017.

On May 4, Tona McCarthy, director of field services at Pope Memorial SPCA in Concord, was told by Megan Fichter of the Lakes Region Humane Society that she’d received information and photos from a 16-year-old worker at the Wolfeboro mansion.

 

 

 

The photos, which were sent to McCarthy and later to the Wolfeboro Police Department, showed what appeared to be feces and maggots on the floor.

On May 8, Wolfeboro police Officer Michael Strauch went to Fay’s residence to serve a barking dog complaint. As he got near the house, before meeting Fay, Strauch said “he was overcome by the smell of dog feces and urine,” according to the affidavit he signed. “The floors of the kennels were thick with feces. I didn’t see a clean area where the dogs could lay down.”

Later that day, McCarthy gave Strauch the photos from Fichter. Then, during a week-long period in May, the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire and North Conway Humane Society provided Wolfeboro police and McCarthy further evidence from another of Fay’s employees who had taken photos of the filth and alleged mistreatment of the Great Danes.

 

 

On May 19, according to the affidavit, McCarthy received a photo showing a Great Dane with warts in its mouth and a health certificate signed by Battenfelder.

More tips were sent to McCarthy in the following days, implying Battenfelder signed off on health certificates for Great Danes that had later been examined by Dr. Kramer, who runs her own practice in Fryeburg, Maine.

Photos showed five dogs, once owned by Fay and issued health certificates by Battenfelder, that were missing paw pads, and had open wounds, ear mites and warts from what was believed to be the papilloma virus, a contagious herpes-like virus in dogs.

 

 

The May 23 section of the affidavit reads, “Tona examined the health certificate and examination sheets, he concluded that they do not correspond with each other as they should.”

It continued: “Dr. Battenfelder’s health certificate indicated that the Great Danes are healthy. Dr. Kramer’s examinations indicated that the Great Danes have a variety of oral papilloma-like virus symptoms, decreased muscular tone, ulcer sores between the pad toes, bloody scabs, feet erosions, elevated eyelids and a body conditioning score of either two or three which indicates that the dogs are too thin.”

Reached by phone, Kramer said she examined seven dogs that had been given health certificates by Battenfelder.

 

 

“I can’t comment as to why infectious diseases that existed were not reported initially,” Kramer said. “You’re not supposed to give health certificates on animals that have any infectious or contagious diseases.”

An employee at Battenfelder’s Bartlett practice, the True North Veterinary Hospital, said the doctor “will not be commenting.”

In a series of recent comments sent to the Conway Daily Sun, Battenfelder denied knowledge that Fay’s dogs were sick, saying, “We believe the findings must have been a recent turn of events and we are heartbroken that things deteriorated to that level. We regret not knowing what was happening out of sight, and would have taken action if we were aware.”

When told of Battenfelder’s statement that the Great Danes’ ailments had surfaced after her examinations, Rondeau, the Wolfeboro police chief, said, “That’s not true,” adding that some of the subsequent exams by Kramer had happened shortly after health certificates were signed.

Lindsay Hamrick, the state director for the Humane Society of the United States, said teams of investigators flew in from the organization’s headquarters in Maryland to help local law enforcement remove the dogs, gather evidence and review paperwork.

“We did offer that resource to them and they took advantage of it,” Hamrick said. “I think we do have concerns about the lack of medical care that these animals received prior to our rescue. What everyone’s individual roles were in that and what they knew, I can’t comment on that because I don’t know.”

 

 

Hamrick added that the State Veterinary Board would be part of any investigation looking into doctor conduct. A spokesman said no complaints have yet been filed, and the board’s next meeting is in September.

Stephen Crawford, the state veterinarian, did not return phone messages or respond to an email.

Meanwhile, Rondeau said the investigation could last at least a year. He also said Battenfelder might not be the lone veterinarian that his department eventually questions.

“Tina was living in Maine,” Rondeau said. “There are connections, possibly to Maine veterinarians. There are a lot of different agencies looking into this, so if you read between the lines, the longer this case stays open, the greater the exposure to everyone who was connected to Tina Fay.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Concord Monitor - August 5, 2017)

Earlier:

• New Hampshire: Tina Fay is arrested and 84 Great Danes are rescued from squalid $1.45 million dollar mansion-'turned puppy mill' covered in feces and littered with rotting raw chicken
• New Hampshire: Wolfeboro Police Chief Dean Rondeau describes the horrific sights and smells inside Tina Fay's mansion where 75 neglected Great Danes were being hoarded
• New Hampshire: Tina Fay facing up to 200 neglect charges after 84 Great Danes seized from her property in Wolfeboro
• New Hampshire: Affidavit describes conditions at Tina Fay's Great Dane breeding facility
• New Hampshire: The signs of animal abuse were there at Tina Fay's house, if you looked

Utah: Veterinarian Mary Smart takes family's money to euthanize their sick dog, sends them fake ashes and a sympathy card then secretly hands their dog over to a rescue group

UTAH -- It's one of the hardest decisions you can make: knowing when it's time to put your pet to sleep.

For the Coates family, it was very sad when their dog, Zoey, got sick. The family decided to take her to the vet to be euthanized.

Six months later, the Coates received a big surprise when they found out their dog was still alive.

Last fall, Zoey, a boxer, started having seizures. The dog also had a large mass on her side. The family thought it was cancerous and that it was slowly taking her life.

Tawny Coates, Zoey's owner, said her family had been through a very hard time over the past year. Her husband robbed a bank, the family lost their home after he went to prison, and then the family dog got ill.

"This felt like a final stab." Tawny Coates said. "Like it was just one too many things. I knew it was going to be what pushed my kids to their breaking point."

"I slept with Zoey almost every night," said Coates' 11-year-old son Jaxton. "She was my best friend."

On November 29, 2016, Coates asked her father to do what she could not: take Zoey to Bayview Animal Hospital in Farmington to be euthanized.

Six months later, she thought her family was ready for a new dog just like Zoey.

"I knew we wanted a boxer," Tawny Coates said. "I knew a boxer would help my son heal."

She started looking online and came across a rescue page for boxers. It was there, in the photos, that she saw an image she will never forget.

Note: I don't think Boxer Town had any idea that Mary

Smart was lying to them about this dog.

"I see the Boxer Town rescue page and I'm like, 'That looks like my dog.' Then I thought, 'I'm crazy,' but I click on it anyway and zoom in and say, 'No, that's my dog!'" Coates said.

But it couldn't be, could it?

Zoey had been euthanized and Coates had the paperwork to prove it: a receipt for $215 for euthanasia and cremation, Zoey's medical record, which lists euthanasia, and even a sympathy card from the staff at the clinic.

 

 

To figure out how this happened, KSL Investigators sat down with Dr. Mary Smart. She's the vet Zoey was brought in to see.

"From my interaction with Mr. Coates, it seemed pretty obvious to me that they didn't want the dog," Smart said.

Here's where it gets tricky. Smart CLAIMS she told Coates' father, Larry, that Zoey did not need to be euthanized.

"In my professional opinion, this was a dog that had years to live and I didn't want to put the dog down," Smart said. "I was trying to save its life."

Smart CLAIMS she discussed other options that could save Zoey. Surgery, medication, or even "do nothing," but let the dog live.

"Did he seem open to any of your suggestions?" asked KSL TV's Mike Headrick.

"No, no," Smart said. "He kept repeating that he wanted to put the dog down."

I don't believe that for one minute.

Children's grandfather says Mary Smart is a liar

Larry Coates told a different story and called Smart's explanation a "complete falsehood." 

He said he did take Zoey in to be euthanized, but claims he was never given any other options that would have saved the dog's life.

Smart contacted a rescue group who was willing to take Zoey. She then took the money for the euthanasia and put it toward a surgery to remove the lump on the dog's back.

A picture of Zoey in Smart's exam room showed up on the rescue group's Facebook page the same day the Coates family thought she was put to sleep.

"Why didn't you call the family?" asked Headrick.

"I screwed up," Smart said. "I should have called the family. Had I any inkling that they might at all be interested in having the dog back, I would have for sure called. But after my conversation with Mr. Coates, it just seemed very obvious to me that they didn't want the dog."

"It breaks my heart because I don't understand why somebody would do this to my family," Tawny Coates said.

 

 

The big question for some might be: Did the vet do the right thing? In Smart's words, she was trying to save an animal's life.

For the answer, we went to Dr. Drew Allen, a member of Utah's Veterinary Board.

"A pet is legally classified as someone's property," said Allen. "As veterinarians, we're obligated to follow what we agree to do with that quote, property."

Allen said this is a legal and ethical issue. He said vets are often asked to euthanize an animal even if they don't want to. So, they have a couple choices —decline and send the pet owner to another vet or come up with another solution. But once the pet owner pays for a service, the vet is obligated to do it.

"As much as we are in this profession for the love of the animals, we need to make sure we're not putting just what we think is best for the animal above the owners and the humans involved in the equation as well," Allen said.

In the end, the Coates family did get their dog back. Now, they're making up for lost time — time that they ironically have thanks to Smart's choice.

"If I had followed procedure, if I had followed protocol, if I had done what Mr. Coates asked me, they wouldn't have their dog," Smart said. "Their dog would have been euthanized and this family would be without their dog."

So she thinks they're supposed to thank her? For lying, stealing their dog and their money, sending them fake sympathy cards while shuttling their beloved dog off into the 'rescue system' to be sold and possibly re-sold? And what slanderous and libelous things did she say to this rescue about this poor family?

I don't have any reason to believe the rescue was in collusion with MARY SMART. I hope not.

The Veterinary Board might look at disciplinary action in Dr. Smart's case, but no official complaint has been filed against her.

Mary Smart needs to be prosecuted for theft. She also needs to be disciplined by the veterinary board. This is outrageous. She can bawl and whine all she wants about how, "But, but the dog's alive. If it weren't for me lying and stealing their money and stealing their dog, it'd be dead!" 

I don't believe for one minute that this guy was demanding this dog be put down if told the dog could be saved. He knew what the dog meant to his daughter and grandchildren. 

I think she made a decision that this was a 'bad family' and didn't deserve this dog. This type of behavior is rampant in the rescue community. People who do the right thing and bring their pets to the shelter to drop off (or to a vet to have the animal euthanized) are maligned and vilified for 'abandoning' their pets. I have posted on this issue previously and my thoughts. 

California: Hand In Paw animal rescue slams cat's previous 

owners because they couldn't take their elderly cat with them

There was also a case of a vet who lied to a family and told them he had euthanized their dog when, in reality, he kept the poor dog locked in a cage in his back office to be used as a living blood donor slave. 

This woman has likely done this before to who knows how many other families and this is just the first time she was caught. She needs to be prosecuted.

Texas: Tarrant County refuses to prosecute former vet Dr. Millard 

Tierce, who lied and told a family he euthanized their dog and 

instead kept it locked in a cage as a blood 'donor'

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

DAILY MAIL COMMENTS SHOW JUST HOW UNHINGED PEOPLE ARE:

(KSL - July 27, 2017)