Veterinarian Ethics?
Philadelphia, PN - The head veterinarian at the Pennsylvania SPCA has been fired, allegedly after providing medical care for pit bull-mix dogs at a kennel that the PSPCA was investigating. James Penny Jr., an attorney for the PSPCA board confirmed that Dr. Ravindra Murarka had been let go, but said that he didn't know anything about an alleged PSPCA investigation of a kennel suspected of raising pit bulls in North Philly, where dogfighting is common.
Penny said that Murarka runs his own clinic, in addition to his work for the PSPCA, and that he was let go because the PSPCA "felt there was a conflict between his private vet practice and what the SPCA views as its mission." He declined to give further detail. Murarka, who has been at the PSPCA for nearly 18 years, said that he was "shocked" when he was told he was being terminated last Thursday, adding that he worked "day and night" for the shelter.
It appears Murarka was treating pit bulls from a suspected breeder of fighting dogs and did not report the owner. This is arguably a violation of the "Veterinarian's Oath."
Murarka said that he does run a private practice but denied any connection to a kennel housing pit bulls. Speaking from home, he said that a man whose name he could not fully recall had asked him in January to provide rabies shots for his seven pit bull-mixes. "I didn't see any old scars" on the dogs, an indication of fighting, while providing the shots, he said. PSPCA acting CEO Beth Ann White was out of the country on vacation and could not comment.
The Veterinarian's Oath was adopted by the American Veterinarian's Medical Association (AVMA), an organization that strongly opposes pit bull laws.
Related articles:
12/11/08: Who Authored the CDC Fatal Dog Attack Report (1979 to 1998)?
10/27/08: Joplin Health Director and Local Veterinarian Distort Truth
07/18/08: Vet Tech Denies Pit Bull is Aggressive After Attack
Here is a little more:
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A rowhome, actually a licensed kennel, is where they say the trouble began. Pit bulls live in the basement and the kennel owner used Dr. Murarka as a vet. An inspection there, a few weeks ago, revealed what the state says were unsatisfactory conditions: dogs not vaccinated for rabies, sanitation problems, and poor record-keeping.
When the SPCA caught word of the doctor’s connection, a board member says it presented an inherent conflict of interest, suggesting that the dogs could have been sold as fighters.
http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/031809_Top_SPCA_Vet_Fired_After_Kennel_Probe
This is just another issue that unethical vets are involved in.
There is a percentage of the veterinary trade that knowingly provides “services” to dog fighters, who even TESTIFY in court on behalf of them and to help and protect them.
Just as some vets do for puppy mills.
It is greed and unethical behavior, pure and simple, but the vet licensing boards have a tendency to protect these charlatans (as well as just bad vets!)
And AVMA encourages stuff like this. They support the breeders, puppy mill breeders- wherever the bucks come from, they support it, no matter how unethical or inhumane.
Money and greed has led many professionals in many trades astray, and veterinarians are included.
The problem is there’s even less oversight and punishment for vets than for other professionals.
Clark Co. Dog Warden Accused Of Misconduct
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The head of Clark County’s Humane Society was terminated from his job after a series of allegations by Humane Society trustees.
Ed Sisler is being accused of “employee misconduct” and “managerial deficiencies.” Trustees said Sisler allegedly stole property from a home on February 19, when the Humane Society responded to a house full of suspected malnourished animals.
Reports allege that he took several boxes of property from the home including expensive Hummel figures worth hundreds of dollars and an Ionic Breeze air purifier valued at over $400.
http://www.whiotv.com/news/18980805/detail.html
When I was mauled some years afterward I received a call from a vet tech. It was a call for forgiveness. She wanted to tell me that the veterinarian that had been treating the dogs that attacked me took care of fighting dogs. She was afraid to turn in the vet and the owner of the fighting dogs for fear of retribution. She did call me and had followed my case for years. Anyone who thinks that all veterinarians are just wonderful I will tell you that the AVMA does not police their own profession nor does the AVMA ever take a stand against the pit bull despite the maulings of human beings and the maulings of other animals. If you go to a vet you might bring this up.
It is not in the business interest of the AVMA nor anyone associated in the $40 Billion a year US pet industry to have breed/breeding tied to liability.
Murarka rehired as PSPCA medical director
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"Dr. Ravi Murarka, the banished medical director at the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, has been rehired, according to Sue Cosby, the shelter's new director."
"…Murarka was fired in March, allegedly after providing medical care for pit-bull-mix dogs at a kennel that the agency was investigating, according to a source at the time.
Murarka, who runs his own clinic, in addition to his work for the PSPCA, denied any connections to a kennel used to house pit bulls in an area where dogfighting occurs."
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http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20090702_Murarka_rehired_at_PSPCA.html