Euthanasia Complaint Tips

What's been learned about complaints for any unsatisfactory companion animal treatment and vet exam boards

TIPS FOR FILING A COMPLAINT

The suggestions and tips below are provided to assist you in the filing of a complaint with your veterinary exam board about any matter in the event your effort to resolve the issue with your clinic was unsuccessful and you want to do more. Note that it could take months, or at least weeks for you to receive the results of your complaint. You are not to be dismayed nor surprised if you learn that your board closed your case, which means no action was taken. It’s likely that the makeup of these boards will differ. The board with which my complaint was filed consists of six veterinarian professionals and two public members, with one of the two public member seats vacant. So it seems that some bias in favor of the veterinarian is to be expected in at least some, and perhaps in most cases.

Your report on the makeup of your vet exam board would be of value in learning whether board makeup has an effect on its decisions. If you have info on your board makeup, you could report it by using the "Feedback" page of our Message Board. I determined my board’s makeup by searching online my vet exam board and then clicking on "Board Roster". I could also probably have gotten makeup info by using any contact info for the board. Because of this possible imbalance in the makeup of vet exam boards, a board may need to see an indeterminate number of related complaints before taking action, or a clear pattern, as unfortunate as this is. In any event, you'll have contributed and if little else, recall that you may receive some therapeutic benefit as a result of your filing.

Note that an online field for the actual complaint on a vet exam board website may be character-restricted. So composing with abbreviations (only if obvious) and symbols and in solid block form will allow you to fit the most information into the field. You may also find it necessary to prioritize info and compose more than one draft. Make sure there's an automatic "save" function. If the site offers no automatic copy function, make sure you retain one in some form.

For a website devoted specifically to filing complaints about veterinarian procedures, see the Vet Abuse Network.

AFTER RECEIVING THE VETERINARY EXAM BOARD DETERMINATION OF YOUR COMPLAINT

In the unlikely event you learn that action was taken and you are satisfied with it, you are very fortunate! You may decide to contact the board with a note of appreciation and/or amend or delete any reviews you may have posted.

If you are unsatisfied with any action taken or you learn that your case was closed without action, you may decide to request copies of the response(s) of the veterinarian(s) to the complaint from the veterinary exam board. This may help you determine why unsatisfactory action or no action was taken. Your examination this material can result in a number of reactions ranging all the way from anger to depression and on to shame or shock. It may be advisable to closely compare your complaint with the response(s), as difficult and unpleasant as this may be. Note distortion, exaggeration, falsification, or omission in the responses to the points in your complaint. You may find that maintaining your position is justified. If so and you want, you may be able to request time before the board at a future hearing. If you find your position unjustified, you may decide to amend or delete any reviews you've posted. Note that it could take months, or at least weeks for you to receive the results of your complaint.

If you get an unsatisfactory result to you complaint(s),you can research the makeup of your vet exam board and also try to find out how it functions. That would be of value in learning whether a board's makeup and function has an effect on its decisions. If you can get info on your board makeup and function, you could report it by using the "Feedback" page of our Message Board. I determined my boards makeup by searching online my vet exam board and then clicking on "Board Roster". I could also probably have gotten makeup info by using any contact info for the board.

It seems that some bias in favor of the veterinarian is to be expected in at least some, and perhaps in most cases. You are not to be dismayed nor surprised if you learn that your board closed your case, which means no action was taken.

Because of a possible imbalance in the makeup of vet exam boards, a board may need to see an indeterminate number of related complaints before taking action, or a clear pattern, as unfortunate as this is. In any event, you'll have contributed and if little else, recall that you may receive some therapeutic benefit as a result of your filing.

If you remain unsatisfied with a final official result of your complaint, you should consider that It has had an effect because time that could've been expended on the practice was expended by the practitioner in responding to your complaint. For that reason and possibly others as well, this process is probably unpleasant and measures to avoid a recurrence may be taken. The procedure that resulted in the complaint may be changed even without official action by your veterinary examining board!

AFTER MY FOUR COMPLAINTS WERE CLOSED WITHOUT ACTION

Veterinary Exam Board Reformation Effort;

An Ongoing Account

I filed four complaints with my board from late May to early July, 2019, a feline diabetes mistreatment complaint and an incomplete dental prophylactic complaint at one clinic and at another clinic, another feline diabetes mistreatment complaint and a euthanasia complaint. The roster of the board with which my complaints were filed is unbalanced and consists of six veterinarian professionals and two public members, one of who's seat is vacant. Worse yet, all my complaints were closed simultaneously without action by only a screening committee consisting of three veterinarians only. After learning that, this request for assistance was submitted using a form on the state governor's website.

"Please tell me how I can change the roster of the vet. exam board & its screening committee. I thought the 4 complaints I filed last summer was quite credible. Yet all were closed w/o action by a screening committee composed of 3 vets, only...neither of the 2 public members of the entire board, one seat of which is vacant, were on this committee. The entire board consists of 6 vets and 2 public, again, one seat of which is vacant. I think this board & its committees should mirror the makeup of the complaint situation in which there is one complainant & one vet clinic. I think they should contain equal numbers of public & vets."

This was the prompt response.

"Thank you for contacting our office. Your concerns are important to us. Because of the nature of your problem, we have referred your case to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. They are currently looking into the situation and will reach out with answers as soon as possible. In the meantime, feel free to reply with any follow-up questions or concerns."

Here is the response to the above referral.

"In response to your November 11, 2019 contact to Governor 's office, I want to assure you that the Veterinary Examining Board (VEB) process requires that all complaints received are thoroughly reviewed, presented and discussed by the VEB screening committee. The VEB screening committee is delegated authority by the full board to make decisions on whether there appears to be violations of law that require further investigation.

As you noted, the screening committee is comprised of 4 of the 8 board members. There is no requirement that a public member be part of the screening committee. Also present at all screening meetings is the VEB investigator and a VEB attorney. The attorney may advise the screening committee as to matters of what the law states. The entire committee has to agree that what is being alleged is below the acceptable standard of care and/or that it is unprofessional conduct.

The complainant can provide more information to their original complaint filed, if evidence or facts were left out, and the committee may review the compliant again in light of the new information, but there is no provision for an appeal of the board’s decision to not take an action. You have the option to contact a private attorney to discuss your legal remedies or file in small claims court. A fact sheet on small claims court is available on our website at ."

I reported to the Governor's Office that the above response from the VEB would be no help to me in trying to change its composition. I was told to send the my original message to the Governor's appointment staff. I did so twice, both at the suggestion of the Governor's office when there was no reply to the first. When no reply came from the second message to the appointment staff, I asked the Governor's office what my next step should be. I received this message on Feb. 28, 2020.

"Thank you for taking the time to contact our office with your concerns.

After looking into your situation and considering all possible avenues, we have concluded that there is nothing more our office can do to assist you.

Again, thank you for contacting our office."

I then restated the question, "How can I change the composition of the state veterinary exam board?" to the Governor's office, thinking it may have been forgotten during the most that passed since it was first asked. I also asked the same of the legislative reference bureau on Friday March 6 and received this prompt reply received Monday March 9, 2020.

"Altering the composition of the board (e.g., changing the total number of members or changing the number and types of members) would require a change in the law that specifies those numbers. If that is something you wish to advocate, you might consider contacting your Senator or Representative."

Emailed this to my state Senator and Representative offices on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.

"Please tell me how I can change the composition of the Vet. Exam Board & its screening committee.

I thought the 4 complaints I filed last summer were quite credible. Yet all were closed w/o action by a screening committee composed of 3 vets only, w/ neither of the 2 public members of the entire board present, one seat of which was vacant. The entire board consists of 5 vets, one vet. tech and 2 public members, again, one seat of which was vacant.

I think this board & its committees should mirror the makeup of the complaint situation in which there is one public complainant & one vet clinic...ie: they should contain equal numbers of public & professionals. Can send docs upon request.

If you're unable or unwilling to assist, please refer me to one or more legislative committees that may be able and willing to do so.

I think my complaints clearly showed that the vets in question showed lack of knowledge of latest protocols. Public members of the board may have agreed, had they been given an opportunity."

Veterinarian's Oath

Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.

I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.

I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.

"Below find info gleaned from LRB reply to the same question I now ask of you."

From; Chapter 89 VEB

(f) Engaging in conduct in the practice of veterinary medicine which evidences a lack of knowledge or ability to apply professional principles or skills

From; Chapter VE 7

STANDARDS OF PRACTICE AND UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT FOR VETERINARIANS

VE 7.06 Unprofessional conduct. Unprofessional conduct by a veterinarian is prohibited. Unprofessional conduct includes:

(1) Conduct in the practice of veterinary medicine which evidences a lack of knowledge or ability to apply professional principles or skills.

From; CHAPTER 15

STRUCTURE OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

(5) Veterinary examining board.

(a) There is created a veterinary examining board in the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection. The veterinary examining board shall consist of the following 8 members appointed for staggered 4-year terms:

1. Five veterinarians licensed in this state.

2. One veterinary technician certified in this state.

3. Two public members.

15.08 Examining boards and councils.

15.08(1)(1) Selection of members. All members of examining boards shall be residents of this state and shall, unless otherwise provided by law, be nominated by the governor, and with the advice and consent of the senate appointed. Appointments shall be for the terms provided by law. Terms shall expire on July 1. No member may serve more than 2 consecutive terms. No member of an examining board may be an officer, director or employee of a private organization which promotes or furthers the profession or occupation regulated by that board.

Stay tuned for more.

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