Do you think vets should have the authority to keep someones pet if it is thought to be mistreated?

Question

My friend who is a veterinary nurse told me that a man brought in his dog as she was having problems giving birth and had to have a caesarian section. When he saw the dog he picked her up by the scruff of the neck and said how useless she was and she was going in the shed when he got her home. The vet told him she needed a lot of care and she needed to feed the pups and he had better keep her warm as she had just had a major operation. He gave the vet verbal abuse and said she was gong to be got rid of when the pups were old enough. All he could think about was how much the vet bill was. Do you think that vets should be able to confiscate animals by law if he thought there was animal abuse involved. What happened to the law that was passed regarding the care of animals. I have said that I would have the dog even though I have two myself.

Answer 1

Yes I do think they should be able to if they can prove the allegations. In this case that vet could contact the authorities an file a report. A visit from animal control may be in order. Since the mans address is on file it would be a breeze to do.

Answer 2

Thats really sad eh? As your friend is the vet nurse, she will have access to this idiot's records etc and could get his name and address. When she's got it you could either approach this man and say you know he doesn't want the dog or its puppies and you are willing to take them all away with you there and then plus ( if you are able to of course ) to pay him for them or settle his vet bill. The one thing you or your friend should certainly do is ring the RSPCA and speak to an inspector who will visit this man immediately to make sure he is taking care of the dog and the pup's. It's a very kind gesture you've made and the world would be a nicer place if there was more people like you in it. I sincerely hope you end up with the dog and her pup's, they'd have a much nicer life. Good luck.

Answer 3

This is a tricky area because some vets are idiots and might would claim abuse when there is no abuse. However in the case you just recounted there should be some way to have a check up visit on the dog maybe someone that in 2 or 3 days would pay the owner a visit. ( sadly I know that doesn't exist but it should)

The reason I say it's tricky is because I use to have a spaniel mix that was a rescue dog from an abusive owner---that poor dog had all sorts of broken bones that hadn't ever been treated so they healed wrong, he had scars and was hand shy...when I first got him he was terrified of all people but we got him over that...anyway the groomer I took him to worked in a vet's office and when I went to pick him up she had the vet come talk to me they were accusing me of abuse! It took about a half hour to clear things up but after that I changed vet and groomer. It's a tricky area like I said.

Answer 4

I most certainly do think vets should have that kind of authority though I am not sure how it could be handled. Not many vets would want the responsibility of re-homing abused animals however much they cared about their welfare. In reality the only thing the vet could do would be to report the owner of any abused animal. We certainly have laws to protect animals, but it seems it is only the animal charities that do anything about abuse and in severe cases bring about prosecutions. That is why I support an animal charity.

Answer 5

Yes, definately. And if you feel that this dog is being ill treated, please, at least get in touch with the RSPCA and tell them what you have told us. It is now against the law to deny any animal medical treatment and they must live in conditions which are required for their species.
I do hope the dog is okay and good for you in offering her a home. Please don't forget about the pups, make sure they are okay too.
One other thing. I know vets are expensive, but for ppl on a low income there are organizations such as the PDSA and the RSPCA who can often help. But, if you have pets, you must expect the bills! My cat has just cost me £90 and my horse £42. I'm skint but my animals are healthy! :-)

Answer 6

Definitely i hope that the vet reported this man for what he said he was going to do, he shouldn't be allowed to get away with it, i thought the new law which was passed regarding care of animals meant that the vets could act or report that person to the RSPCA

Answer 7

Yes, I think so. They should be able to hold the dog until the SPCA is able to do an investigation.
Vets by law are required to report any animal abuse they see evidence of, but reporting does not always do the trick. I think that allowing vets to hold the animal pending an investigation is a wonderful idea.

Answer 8

I agree 100%. I work for the humane society. We had a vet call us when a pitt bull was found wondering around. He was badly injured and going into shock. We beleve he was used as bate. He is friendly with other dogs. He is very young. We never found the owners. I wish the vets could hold animals who always come in with injurys or supushious injurys. I also think you should start a patichion, I'll sigh too.

Answer 9

I absolutely agree. Vets should be able to take animals if they know they are being harmed, the problem is what they would do with them all as I am sure it happens a lot. Our animal rescue centres are always full as it is. I don't know why people have animals when they obviously don't love them. It really makes me sad.

Answer 10

Yes absolutely, your friend should call the rspca, the vets obviously have the mans address so that they can send an inspector round who can confiscate the poor dog and her pups.