Have you heard about the man who got charged for operarting on his dog?
By greatsasuke
@greatsasuke (472)
United States
February 9, 2010 12:13pm CST
This is no lie. I just read about a man who operated on his 14 year old lab, who needed a second surgery after it got an infection.
The owner of the dog couldn't afford proper care for his lab, so he removed a cyst from it's leg all by himself. He used local anesthetic and removed the cyst because he couldn't afford a second surgery. Most veterinarians from where he is from (Rhode Island) are calling what he did a crime, but he insists that because the economy being the way it is, no one offered to lend him and his dog a helping hand.
Another point that was raised is that the operation was unnecessary because the cyst was benign and therefore, not hurting the dog. This particular procedure would have cost the owner $200, and one veterinarian was saying that his organization would have helped with the bill, if the owner had asked for help.
In any case he was charged with animal cruelty and the unauthorized use of veterinarian equipment and pleaded no contest. He still thinks he did not do anything wrong by trying to help out his dog.
What do you think? Was it cruel or an act of compassion?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@missliss08 (766)
• United States
10 Feb 10
This is a hard one for me too. I have two dogs, and I don't know what I would do if they needed surgery that cost a fortune. They are both fixed, and that cost enough. However if he knew how to remove the cyst, why did he not find out the proper way to prevent infection or treat it once it was there. Obviously he had no business doing this, and the dog was 14 for goodness sakes. I think animal cruelty is fair, but I am not sure what the vet said about saying he would do it if he had asked.
@kaylayoe (293)
• United States
9 Feb 10
This is a tough one. I mean from one side the guy seems completely nuts! But then if you look at it from another angle I think what would I have done for my dog? I suppose that if the cyst wasn't hurting the dog then this guy is actually nuts but I don't think he should be charged. I don't know the whole story but maybe the Vets didn't tell the man that it wasn't a dangerous cyst? Anyways, I would have to say that this was cruel but all the man did was love his animal right?
@greatsasuke (472)
• United States
13 Feb 10
Even if it was a bad decision, the thing to look at is did he do it out of compassion or out of cruelty. Most indications point to compassion. So, maybe he did make a mistake, a simple fine or slap on the hand will do. Jail time would be to severe.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
10 Feb 10
It would be hard for me to hold the dog and cut the nails, because my dogs hate it. I think I would ask for help and will never do procedure by myself. His act must be with anger about vet charges, not to help the dog. I wouldn't be able to do it on any of my animals. At some point is cruel because the dog needed general anesthesia.
@sunyskies (126)
• United States
9 Feb 10
Wow, that's a tough call. I'm assuming the dog appeared to be in pain if the man felt the need to operate on him. If that's the case, I don't think it was cruel. On the other hand, if the cyst was benign (and the owner knew it) and not causing the dog any pain, it does seem cruel. I don't think I could perform surgery on any animal since I don't have veterinary training. Also, I'm a wimp around blood.
@greatsasuke (472)
• United States
13 Feb 10
I don't know whether he knew it was benign or not, but I am assuming he didn't. I don't think it was an act of cruelty, because there are hundreds of ways he could have mistreated his dog, other than removing a cyst from its leg. I think the scare, as is always the case, is from authorities thinking that people will take these issues into their own hands. I think this was an isolated incident and won't become a regular occurrence in the future.
@CHumphreys (34)
• United States
10 Feb 10
Perception is a crazy thing. People have different values and morals so it's hard to say if some things are right or wrong. A cyst doesn't seem life threating so I couldn't imagine myself operating on my pets to remove one. However, the dog is older so maybe it seemed like it was causing him problems getting around or pain. The cyst itself may not be painful, but they can press on nerves or be located in uncomfortable positions. I guess if he intended to operate on his dog he should have kept his mouth shut so that no one would know any better and the dog would feel better. It makes you wonder his true intentions since he obviously told someone or he would not be in trouble now.
