RE: Uxbridge-based vet suspended for passing off puppy farm puppies as home-bred

Steven Odell — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 14:58:07 GMT

When I first read this earlier in the year I wondered if there was more to the tale - that the vet was unscrupulous, underhand, "on the take", or in the back pocket of the breeders. However, I see that the story has made its way into the VDS newsletter, and I cannot be the only one to be a little worried about the comments made by the VDS. Both they and the defending QC in the case were surprised at the verdict, and their conclusions and warnings to us all could be quite serious. I've lifted a couple of quotes but the general tone is one of surprise at the conclusions reached in the trial.

"The reliance, in this trial, on a vaccination card being not only a certificate of health of a particular puppy, but also a validation of the honesty and integrity of its owner/keeper was troubling. It suggests members may have to go further to protect themselves, especially if in any way suspicious about a client’s activities or motives."

"We consider it would be a significant problem for the profession if a vaccination card is to be seen as evidence of the legitimacy of the details of a pup’s identity and background, when in reality, it is simply a record that a vaccination has been administered and the pup is in good health on the day of its examination. Furthermore, unless a microchip number is recorded, it cannot be definitively related to a particular puppy in any event."

Where will this end up? Its perfectly legal to vaccinate an unchipped puppy at six weeks of age (as the breeder's mate who's been on a course is going to chip them before 8 weeks of age for half our price and enter it on one of the dodgy databases), but should we be doing it now? We've all been to a run-down equine yard where things aren't quite of the standard of Sheik Mansoor's stables, so should we refuse to vaccinate a horse which may be sold on? Are we now the arbiters of owner's honesty and integrity and should now refuse treatment to anyone who we think is a "wrong 'un". I for one have seen plenty of folk from the other side of the tracks who are, when it comes to their animals, model clients, and equally upstanding members of society who are terrible pet owners. Who are the better clients?

I think this has slipped under the radar a bit, but reading the VDS advice closely suggests that this could become more and more of an issue to all of us. Just something else to keep us awake at night!!!

RE: Uxbridge-based vet suspended for passing off puppy farm puppies as home-bred

SL Liakouras — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 20:22:45 GMT

I’m sorry but 1 month is nowhere near enough.