Man Fights to get Pure Breed Siamese Cat after saying veterinarian stole him. UPDATE
PFLUGERVILLE,
Texas (Corrections-KXAN) - Hometown Animal Care owner Dr. Tom Sutton
says a relief doctor at his clinic removed more than 100 hair ties from a
cat’s stomach, saving its life. Derek Hawke, the original owner says he was shocked at that number, which was revealed only after the dispute between the two emerged. Hawke says he is not upset over costs or losing his pet to save its life, but the manner in which he felt the clinic took his pet and then accused abuse and neglect 45 days after the fact as a means of retaliation.
Hunter, the cat was seen by Hometown Animal Care in Pflugerville in February 2014. Records show the cat was presented to the clinic weighing 3.3 pounds and a temperature of 90 degrees. The hospital claims it should have weighed closer to eight with a body temperature of 101. X-rays confirmed a large abdominal obstruction requiring surgery with the veterinarian warning "Hunter may not survive due to his poor health" (JO 6/12/14). Initially there was no issue until the relief vet suddenly added additional After Care cost right after Hawke had given his consent to perform the surgery. The total costs exceeded Hawke's means, the only option left was euthanasia. At this point, the relief vet propose the following solution, the clinic would perform all necessary medical care in exchange for the ownership of the cat. Hawke agreed to the undocumented terms to save the cat's life. It wasn't until the next day, when Hawke suspected that something suspicious had occurred when he went to say goodbye to the cat and the attending veterinarian denied that request.
In a response to a Yelp review written about the incident, Dr. Sutton released 3 public statements to give his account of events. In his response, he alleges that the cat's condition was the result of "a long period of neglect" (TS 04/22/14) by the owner and the only motivations of his staff for saving the cat's life was charitable without any incentive for self gain other than saving the animals life.
Hunter, the cat was seen by Hometown Animal Care in Pflugerville in February 2014. Records show the cat was presented to the clinic weighing 3.3 pounds and a temperature of 90 degrees. The hospital claims it should have weighed closer to eight with a body temperature of 101. X-rays confirmed a large abdominal obstruction requiring surgery with the veterinarian warning "Hunter may not survive due to his poor health" (JO 6/12/14). Initially there was no issue until the relief vet suddenly added additional After Care cost right after Hawke had given his consent to perform the surgery. The total costs exceeded Hawke's means, the only option left was euthanasia. At this point, the relief vet propose the following solution, the clinic would perform all necessary medical care in exchange for the ownership of the cat. Hawke agreed to the undocumented terms to save the cat's life. It wasn't until the next day, when Hawke suspected that something suspicious had occurred when he went to say goodbye to the cat and the attending veterinarian denied that request.
In a response to a Yelp review written about the incident, Dr. Sutton released 3 public statements to give his account of events. In his response, he alleges that the cat's condition was the result of "a long period of neglect" (TS 04/22/14) by the owner and the only motivations of his staff for saving the cat's life was charitable without any incentive for self gain other than saving the animals life.
Hawke disputes the clinic’s assessment of the cat saying the hospital owner is embellishing and over-exaggerating facts and alleging abuse and neglect 45 days after the fact only to misdirect attention from some serious and questionable actions of his staff. Dr. Sutton claims the cat weighed 3.3 pounds and should have weighed closer to eight. However, records from recent visit in September from a different Veterinary clinic showed his weight at 4 pounds. Supported by lab work, the cat was determined to be healthy. Hawke says "this is purposeful misleading on their part to try to give the impression that Hunter was under-weight by 5 pounds . Siamese are very lean cats to begin with. He (Dr. Sutton) is comparing an average adult house cat to a very young petite cat."
The cat was reported by the clinic to have had a 90 degree temperature when it should have been closer to 101.2. Hawke disputes the clinic’s assessment of the cat saying that leaked Facebook pictures from an employee's page allude that the low body temperature was induced while under anesthesia. During the actual procedure, the technician actually comments on the low body with concern. This low body temperature should not come as a surprise to her since it was allegedly identified on admission. This also brings up the question, if the body temperature was truly this low, would any reasonable veterinarian proceed with the surgery without first attempting to stabilize the cat? The medical record contain no documentation of any such attempts by the relief veterinarian.
Hawke also challenges the clinic's claim on the number of hair ties it removed. "I don't see 111 ties in the images. If they had a camera available, why wouldn't they photograph the final pile?"
Hawke also challenges the clinic's claim on the number of hair ties it removed. "I don't see 111 ties in the images. If they had a camera available, why wouldn't they photograph the final pile?"
The medical record and statements from Dr. Sutton confirm that a clinic employee immediately adopted the cat and took him home that same night instead of having him receive the expensive after-care which forced Hawke to surrender the cat. A Facebook picture taken a day a half after surgery shows this employee handling the post-op cat in a painful and negligent manner in order to take a "Selfie". Comments to the picture from a co-worker voice objection to the handling. The employee/adopter replies "Pssh. Whatever! he is fine"
Hawke says the up front cost quoted was increased intentionally once the owner's spending limit was determined. The relief veterinarian proceeded to add undisclosed after-care until it was not affordable. With options limited, Hawke had the choice but euthanizing the young cat or surrendering ownership of the cat to the clinic in exchange to receive the care needed to save his life. "I can confirm that I had an active Care Credit account with a $1500 spending limit. I paid the bill they charged me that day for $185. So I can prove I had at minimum $1685. My bank statement showing the charge to Hometown also shows I had an addition $878 balance in my bank account.
No documentation of ownership transfer was performed. Dr. Tom Sutton told KXAN a relief doctor found 111 hair ties inside the cat’s stomach. The leaked pictures from the actual surgery do not support that quantity and employee comments imply that the low body temperature manifested while under anesthesia. Medical records contained no documentation of the surgery, no mention of medication or drug or administration of anesthesia. No doctor signature.
The original author of this article, KXAN investigative news reporter Dawn Denny was challenged on the accuracy of her report from June 30, 2014 which was picked up by news affiliations all over the country and even was a topic of discussion on the American Veterinary Medical Association's Facebook page. Two weeks after the news article and communication with the assistant program director, Denny's KXAN profile was removed and no further stories authored by her can be found after July 19 2014. No status of Denny's employment has been confirmed.
Hawke filed a complaint in early June against Hometown Animal Care. The Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is expected to have a decision in January 2015 for both the clinic owner and relief veterinarian.
No documentation of ownership transfer was performed. Dr. Tom Sutton told KXAN a relief doctor found 111 hair ties inside the cat’s stomach. The leaked pictures from the actual surgery do not support that quantity and employee comments imply that the low body temperature manifested while under anesthesia. Medical records contained no documentation of the surgery, no mention of medication or drug or administration of anesthesia. No doctor signature.
The original author of this article, KXAN investigative news reporter Dawn Denny was challenged on the accuracy of her report from June 30, 2014 which was picked up by news affiliations all over the country and even was a topic of discussion on the American Veterinary Medical Association's Facebook page. Two weeks after the news article and communication with the assistant program director, Denny's KXAN profile was removed and no further stories authored by her can be found after July 19 2014. No status of Denny's employment has been confirmed.
Hawke filed a complaint in early June against Hometown Animal Care. The Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is expected to have a decision in January 2015 for both the clinic owner and relief veterinarian.