Can saving a life be a crime? Vet faces reprimand after refusing to euthanise 'sweet young cat'
Cat at vet
Can saving life be penalised? In the UK, an experienced veterinarian has been reprimanded for taking home a cat she was instructed to euthanise.
The veterinarian identified as Janine Parody reportedly took home a cat she was instructed to euthanise, and later charged the feline's owner nearly £500 ($655) for the animal's treatment.
What happened?
At the centre of the incident is an eight-month-old cat named Shadow, whose owner had requested euthanasia due to the cat's illness.
However, Parody, who reportedly had an otherwise "exceptional" reputation in the field, made the decision to treat Shadow against the owner’s wishes.
Appearing in front of a tribunal, the veterinarian said she had performed multiple euthanasias earlier that day and found it emotionally challenging to proceed with another. She said that upon entering the examination room at a surgery in Framlingham, Suffolk, she saw a "sweet young cat" that seemed healthy apart from a skin condition.
Parody claimed she could not bring herself to euthanise the cat and instead opted for treatment, which included sedation and castration — done without the owner's consent. She even replaced Shadow's microchip and took him home.
"The drug Pentoject had already been drawn up. Upon entering the room, I was greeted by a sweet young cat, which appeared healthy apart from his skin condition."
"I had already done back-to-back euthanasias that morning … and upon seeing a happy young cat, I just could not face another euthanasia."
She said that despite her 10 years' experience, "euthanasias are never easy".
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'Disgraceful' conduct
The cat's owner said that she "grieved for his little soul," believing he had been euthanised until later learning the truth. When informed of Shadow's treatment, the owner was both "shocked and elated" but was subsequently asked to pay £480 for the care the cat had received.
Shadow went back to his owner, a woman who regularly rescues cats, referred to only as "SM" in the case. However, just two months later, the cat's condition deteriorated, and he was put down.
Subsequently, an investigation was launched.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons tribunal called Parody’s actions as "disgraceful" and ruled she made a "series of very poor decisions". While acknowledging the high-stress conditions veterinarians faced during the pandemic, the panel underscored the seriousness of her conduct.
She "should be under no illusion of how serious it is to have a finding of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect made against her".
(With inputs from agencies)
