Warning: Graphic Content
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has opened a case with South African Police Services (SAPS) and lodged a formal complaint with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) following an alert from the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) about a botched castration procedure performed on a cat. This resulted in the suspect being arrested and detained at the Maitland SAPS.
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The incident took place when an individual, posing as a veterinarian, conducted the castration bare-handed on the owner’s dining room table.
The cat named Howard, was according to his owner, sedated but flinching throughout the entire procedure.
She also noted excessive cutting to her cat’s scrotum and significant force to expose the testes. Two to three hours later, when Howard began bleeding profusely, he was rushed to a private veterinary practice in Rondebosch where he was stabilised overnight before being transferred to the PDSA on the morning of 13 July 2023.
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The findings of the qualified treating veterinarian at the PDSA are horrifying and leave no doubt that the individual who carried out the procedure was not qualified to do so.
Howard was dehydrated and presented with pale pink mucous membranes and a packed cell volume well below the normal range – all indications of significant blood loss.
In addition to this, Howard was in terrible pain, the scrotal area had been poorly shaven, and bruising was apparent in his perineal area and on his caudal thighs, suggesting haemorrhaging or mishandling during the castration. Poorly defined incision borders and the excessive tying of the right pampiniform (venous) plexus and ductus (vas) deferens indicated a lack of surgical skill while, the left side was not ligated at all, a severe oversight a qualified veterinarian would never make.
In summary, Howard had endured unnecessary pain and suffering brought about by a very poor standard of surgery and he could have died as a result.
It has since been established that the individual who performed the castration is an Animal Health Technician registered with SAVC as such and employed at a well-known private veterinary practice.
A complaint has been lodged with SAVC for unethical conduct and both the suspect’s employer and SAVC are conducting their investigations independently and we have been assured that swift action will be taken.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse is leading the charge for justice for Howard. He says, ‘The investigation into this case is critical in ensuring that the responsible party is held liable under the law and that justice is served for Howard who was subjected to cruel and unlawful treatment’.
It’s equally important that individuals masquerading as qualified veterinarians are prevented from plying their exploitative trade. ‘We hope that the arrest of this individual and the ensuing criminal case serves as a warning to any other individuals defrauding the public and looking to make a quick buck by offering services they are unqualified for,’ says Pieterse.
After obtaining all the evidence, including eye-witness statements, a case was opened with Maitland SAPS on the 21st of July 2023 and the suspect was arrested and detained the same day. He makes his first court appearance on the 24th of July 2023.
While the convenience may seem appealing, it’s highly unlikely that any individual willing to treat, sterilise or even vaccinate your pet via a house call is a qualified veterinarian. As a pet owner, it is your duty to protect your pets and ensure that they receive qualified care when this is needed.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s Animal Hospital provides sterilisation services at welfare rates. Pets can also be taken to our mobile clinics, stationed within several communities, and will be transported to our hospital for sterilisation and returned.
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Picture: Supplied
