Posted on 09/06/2002 12:40:26 PM PDT by chance33_98
Veterinarian admits beating dogs
LEBANON, Maine (AP) A veterinarian faces a possible revocation of his license after he admitted beating four dogs that he treated.
John Carmody, who works at Lebanon's Forest View Veterinary Clinic, told the state Board of Veterinary Medicine in August that he abused the animals.
He signed a document admitting striking a German shepherd in the face, restraining and kicking a black Labrador retriever, striking an Italian greyhound, and repeatedly kicking a second German shepherd.
Carmody could have his veterinary completely revoked, or have it revoked for a period of time and face a fine, according to Anne Head, director of the state's Office of Licensing and Registration.
The veterinary board has scheduled a disciplinary hearing for Oct. 3.
Carmody, who is on vacation this week, could not be reached for comment, but his lawyer said the veterinarian regrets his actions.
''He is truly sorry for such conduct and has undertaken measures and procedures to assure such conduct shall not be repeated in the future,'' said Paul McElhinney, Carmody's lawyer.
Carmody's veterinary partner at Forest View expressed his full support.
''We're behind John 100 percent,'' said Craig Holbrook. ''He has acknowledged some mistakes and is aware of the seriousness of his actions and is taking some steps to correct the problem as best he can.''
Beth Breton, a former employee of the clinic, said she reported the abuse in March after learning that the greyhound, named Tara, died under Carmody's care.
''That dog did not deserve to get hit, and it died,'' Breton said. ''These are vets. They take an oath, and it means nothing in there.''
Dot Murphy, who owned Tara, said she never knew her dog was struck the day it died.
''I'm thinking I lost her twice,'' she said. ''It's like she just died again today.''
/bow
That was very good.
Do these guys do some kind of dog medicine as a recreational drug?
Ha! I think you really have to love them to own them - high maintenance dogs for sure. We had ours for a year, but couldn't keep her because she couldn't adjust to our newborn. She developed some behavior that seemed to be unfixable, and we tried EVERYTHING. So we gave her to a family with another IG and no kids. It was hard and our five year old still asks about her a year later. We just didn't know enough about the breed ahead of time, they are so demanding and much like small children themselves.
Our IG wasn't altogether stupid, could be rather cunning if need be - was a great thief of all things edible, stalked our cat unmercifully and had the most incredible hearing. IGs, being greyhounds, are amazingly fast and have great noses. Of course, they are terrible watchdogs, and not just for size. They will let you know if anyone is around outside no problem (including all sorts of animals, bugs, the wind blowing, leaves falling, haha), but will not act in any sort of protective fashion, no doubt preferring rather to invite the perp in for a good face licking and snuggle. Definitely not a manly man's dog. :) But at the same time, they are so good with people. I don't think our IG ever reacted in anger - she didn't seem to know how.
They are pathetically affectionate, constantly in the lap or under the covers or just tripping you up as you walk around the house. I'm sure you know all this. Enjoy having Sapphire for a visit, and enjoy that you can give her back when you're done!
Yeah, and isn't that just too bad.
But you must admit that some of the idiots are vet's, there are bad apples in that bushel as well as in any other.
He can take a swing at me anytime. I can do a great pitbull imitation.
May be abuse, may be burnout, may be a disgruntled client.
I've never smacked my Lab, but I have used a chain collar on her. She is not stupid, and she's certainly not mean (just assertive), but when we started training she occasionally needed a pop on the chain to get her attention. I haven't had one on her in 6 months, though, clicker training has been a great success. She still won't come when she's stolen my gardening glove though, she runs around and grins at me. Her high point was stealing one of the float bags for my kayak off the clothesline where it was drying . . . I can offer a testimonial for Dagger float bags being Lab-proof (no small feat). She got it filthy but delivered it up in exchange for a treat, and it still holds air . . . (if I was ever going to hit her, that was when! But when she came to me I couldn't hit her . . . that would be punishing her for coming to me, float bag in mouth) . . . ah, Labs!
Anyone who would hit a small, defenseless animal like an IG for any reason is a vicious, out-of-control SOB who could easily move on to taking his rage out on other people. It's even worse for a vet to do it. He is being paid for his services by a client who entrusts their animal to his care. And yes, a man striking such a small animal in anger could easily kill it. If he's of average size, he might weigh around 170 pounds. An IG weighs in the range of 10-15 pounds or so soaking wet. This vet is a scumbag of the first rank. So's his partner for excusing the SOB's conduct. They both ought to lose their licenses. It's a good thing I live on the opposite side of the country from those d#ckheads, because I'd be raising a ruckus about getting their licenses pulled!!!!
The nature of the problem is called evil.
That is abuse and all it will do is make your dog fear and hate you. A dog never requires more than a stern tone of voice or, at most, a hand slap to the butt. If the dog does not obey you, you're the one who is doing something wrong, not the dog. Learn some humane training techniques.
First, this former axe to grind employee has other motives other than the welfare of the animals in mind. Where was she when all of these abuses took place? Why didn't she stop the abuses if they were so plentiful? Why is she a former employee, did she embezzle money, was she incompetant, was she unable to restrain the animals for the veterinarians and they repremanded her? Did Dr. Carmondy refuse her sexual advances? If she was an employee she also had a responsibility to the animals. Did she confront the veterinarians personally before she went to the state board of medicine and tell them they were abusing animals? Before we crucify the veterinarian, we better know some of the facts.
Second, here at the FR we learn to ask questions and not take what is printed as hard facts until we learn the whole story. Why is this story so different when it concerns a professional such as a veterinarian instead of a politician? Why are posters assuming that we are ignorant of what an Italian Greyhound is when no one states that these animals are equated with a Greyhound? Yes, most of us know the difference.
This makes news because it is a rare case but we all know what the press will and does do to make and report the news. I am willing to bet the farm there will be found that the employee has a problem with the clinic and the abuses are probably not abuses at all but can be construed as such when some hateful former employee wants vengence. I am also willing to bet the press will give the former employee a free ride and not tell the whole story when it comes out so that the veterinarian can be exonerated by the public.
I may be wrong but I have seen far too many veterinarians embroiled in this scenario for me to accept the story as written.
Oh my god, you advocate abuse of that poor animal by hitting it on the buttocks. It is that simple to have abuse aimed at you...
Nevermind the fact that you are correct in training and schooling of a dog....
I agree, if one ever hits any of my dogs, he'll not need that license!
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