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Vet Could Lose License Following Cruelty Accusations
Controversial Method Against Shelter's Own Guidelines
POSTED: 8:12 pm CST November 5,
2007
UPDATED: 10:34 am CST November 7,
2007
GALLATIN, Tenn. -- The fallout continues from an I-Team investigation into the Sumner County Animal Shelter.The public reacted quickly last week to a videotape that showed animals at the shelter being put down with a needle containing sodium penabarbitol to the heart.The shot, called the heart shot, is against the shelter’s own guidelines. Veterinary technicians are also banned from using the method that can be painful for the animals.But, as the video reveals, the method was used several times on dogs and cats that were not sedated by veterinarian Dr. Bill Baber.
On Monday, 100 protesters gathered in front of the shelter to show their anger at the county for allowing the practice.The incident has become embarrassing for Sumner County.“We’re not letting this go. We’re not letting this go. There are 34,000 pet owners in my county where I live and every single one of them usually ends up right there. Now, you saw how they were euthanized. That’s unacceptable. That will not occur again,” said animal activist Peggy Olea.Olea is one of the many who said they are outraged.Former Sumner County Commissioner Matt Slone said he was also upset at the images seen on the video.Slone called the shelter “a working death camp.” He said the adoption rate at the shelter is the lowest in the nation and that no one would listen to his calls to clean up the shelter.He said the heart shot method could cause the animal to linger in pain for up to five minutes before its death.The group People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals has also called for Baber to be charged with cruelty to animals.Vet Could Lose LicenseChannel 4 News learned on Tuesday that Baber could soon have his license suspended.
VIDEO: Board Meeting Could Lead To Vet's License SuspensionState Rep. Janis Sontany said that after seeing this report, she filed a complaint asking the state to take away Baber's license."I think what you uncovered is a vet that's committing an act of animal cruelty in the euthanasia process,” said Rep. Janis Sontany.The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners will meet on Wednesday in a specially-called meeting to decide if his license should be suspended.The board will meet, investigators will present their findings, and the board will have to determine then if they feel Baber poses a threat to animals.Baber has told the I-Team that with so many animals needing to be put down, the heart-shot method was necessary.Channel 4 also learned that late Tuesday, the district attorney has asked the Sumner County Sheriff's Department to conduct an investigation into Baber.
Previous Stories:
- November 2, 2007: Euthanasia Report Stirs Calls For Change
- November 2, 2007: Vet's Euthanasia Method Unsettling To Some
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