Cat castrated by fake veterinarian in Cape Town

WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC DETAILS/IMAGES. NOT FOR SENSITIVE READERS

A man who posed as a veterinarian was arrested by Maitland South African Police Services (SAPS) after he tried to castrate a cat bare-handed on the owner's dining room table.

The incident took place about two weeks ago, after the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) brought it to the attention of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA opened a case with SAPS and lodged a formal complaint with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).

In a statement, the Cape of Goodhope SPCA said 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, added the SPCA, he was rushed to a private veterinary practise in Rondebosch where he was stabilised overnight before being transferred to the PDSA on 13 July.

PICTURE: SPCA - Howard The Cat

‘’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, indicating a severe oversight in the procedure,’’ said Jaco Pieterse, Cape of Good Hope SPCA Chief Inspector.

SUPPLIED - SPCA: Howard suffered terribly during a botched castration procedure performed by an unqualified individual posing as a veterinarian

Pieterse said that the 37-year-old man who performed the castration is an Animal Health Technician registered with the SAVC and employed at a well known private veterinary practise.

‘’A complaint has been lodged with the SAVC for unethical conduct and both the suspect’s employer and the Council are conducting investigations independently.’’

Pieterse says he hopes justice will be served for the bogus vet, further sending a stern warning to those who intends to orchestrate a similar case.

“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,’’ says Jaco Pieterse, Cape of Good Hope SPCA Chief Inspector.

“We hope that the arrest of this individual and the coming 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 that result in animal suffering,’’ he added.

The man has since appeared in court on Monday, where his bail application was denied. The case has been postponed to next Monday.

The cat survived the incident and is back with its owners.

 

Done By: Mitchum George