OK here is the deal...I took my dog to the vet and she wasn't exactly happy and the vet hit her! Can you freaking believe it! I left, I told him we would not be bringing our animals back and I would tell everyone I knew about him. What I want to know is: can I post signs around town, you know like hang them up in the library, grocery store, dry cleaners stating what he did and advising ppl not to go there or would this be slander (even though it is true) and could he sue me? I don't want to sue him since my dog was not really hurt but I would like to see him put out of business. He really does not need to be working with animals!
2006-07-27 10:05:10 · 26 answers · asked by beth l 7 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Aussieblonde....I specifically state I DO NOT WANT TO SUE...I want to put him out of business and want a lawyers opinion as to wether or not HE could sue ME!
2006-07-27 10:17:00 · update #1
My dog is a golden retreiver and she was growling at the vet (she is afraid of men - yeah this really helpped!)and trying to squirm away. She never bit him. My brother is a vet tech (in a different town or I would go to him) and has been bit many times but has never hit an animal.
Just have to share this...I was so stunned I just sat and stared at the vet for like a whole 30 seconds thinking to myself "That did not just happen! I know he did not just hit my dog..."
2006-07-27 11:13:19 · update #2
Depending on what you put on the posters, you are totally responsible for the content. There could be a lot of recourse to what you say. If you cause any harm to his reputation he can get you for liable and defamation of character. If you cause him to lose any business he can get you for damages also.
2006-07-27 10:41:54 · answer #1 · answered by Who am I? 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You didn't exactly explain the circumstances of the event, other than your dog was not "exactly happy". Is your dog a large dog and did the vet fear for his safety?
I am not making an excuse for your vets inappropriate violence, but as a former vet tech, I do understand that there are times when anyone working with animals can fear for their personal safety. Not all dogs/cats are "exactly happy" at the vet's office and since I have been the victim of many bites, some that had to be treated at the hospital, I can tell you that it is not amusing to have a poodle hanging off of your face or a Doberman clamped down on your arm!
I can understand losing ones temper, but striking an animal is never appropriate. It definitely sounds like your vet has problems controlling his anger. I can't help but be concerned what he would do to an animal when the owner was not present, if he would strike your dog right in front of your eyes!
If your vet is not the owner of the clinic and is just an employee, you need to report him to the owner. If he is the owner, you can report him to the AVMA. If the clinic is AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) certified, you can also report him that that association. Vets have to meet a certain criteria/ standard to become certified by AAHA.
2006-07-27 17:41:59 · answer #2 · answered by Free Bird 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually it would be lible, not slander, since you are talking about posting signs. You will probably also slander him too, so I guess you have got both covered!!!!!!!!
Unless you have PROOF, like one of the employees that saw it, you will be in a lot of trouble. If it was just you and your family, or someone else who will not testify to seeing it...you are out of luck.
Try the Vet Medical Board. You can make a report without it being illegal!!!!
I am sure the last thing you want is for him to sue YOU and YOU to have to pay HIM!!!!!!!
You cannot sue him for damages unless again, you can prove that the dog IS damaged!!!!! That would be hard to prove without being able to prove that the dog was hit.
2006-07-27 17:40:03 · answer #3 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a new vet. Do NOT go back to this jerk. Contact the state licensing department and report him.
If the dog growled at the vet or in any way acted aggressively, the vet or his assistants should have muzzeled her or, like my vet did when I brought in a stray, had me muzzle it. It is for the protection of all concerned.
I'm not an attorney, and I'm not giving legal advice, but I would recommend that you call the state (whatever department that handles vet complaints) and file a formal complaint with them.
Whatever you do, DO NOT go back to this vet or to that particular animal clinic.
2006-07-28 00:43:28 · answer #4 · answered by kaschweigert 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be libel and slander and he could sue. But so can you for property damage (yes, pets are considered property under the law). Get an attorney and call the ASPCA in your area to find out how to report him so that no one else's pet is abused by him.
And to aussieblonde75-what does being American have to with getting attorneys to sue abusive vets? Are you implying that animal cruelty is acceptable in Australia or that only Americans take a stand against it?
2006-07-27 17:25:59 · answer #5 · answered by elk312 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is only slander if it is not true. However it would be your word against the vets, unless there is physical evidence of the hit on your dog. I think the best way is to contact an agency like the ASPCA or Humane Society, they are the experts at investigating cruelty complaints.
2006-07-27 17:13:23 · answer #6 · answered by Robert 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's awful no vet should ever hit their patients. definently find a different veterinarian to take care of your dog. tell your new vet the reason why you no longer go to your old vet. you have every
reason to be boiling mad about this. post stuff all over town.
he should not be working with animals. does that jerk think that
hitting a dog is going to make him stop growling?no way it will make him even more fearful and it will also make him bite.
2006-07-27 19:32:46 · answer #7 · answered by becca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You did the right thing by removing your pet from his care, however, I would not try to publicly embarrass him for fear of legal retribution, this is a headache you do not need. I would file a complaint with the better business bureau in your town as well as with the vet licensing board in your area. Good Luck!
2006-07-27 17:26:07 · answer #8 · answered by AJ 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are in a sticky here. You could totally do that it would not be slander, because it's true. Unfortunately, you would need to be able to prove he hit your dog or others to stay out of trouble with the law. OR, you could do what I would do, screw the rules and put them up anyway. You don't have to put your name on the signs. Then the burden of proof if he did anything would be on his behalf, not yours. Sock it to him!
2006-07-27 17:29:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the UK,if we have a complaint about a vet,we can write to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Why not do something like that, there must be some governing body for vets where ever you are?? Serious professional conduct,is a good one to stick on him!Better to do it through legal channels,rather than risk him taking YOU to court!! Please do something about this,if he hit your dog in front of you,what's he capable of doing out of sight?? Take care in what you do,good luck,hope it works out for you!
2006-07-27 17:25:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, he could sue you, don't go that route. Consult an atty for your legal rights, the Vet Board in your state for abuse, and the better business bureau.
Best of luck in the future. Thanks for being a good pet owner and not returning to that guy!
2006-07-27 17:10:18 · answer #11 · answered by Venus__27 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋