County stuck with $2,832 vet bill

Published 5:00 am Saturday, June 19, 2004

Island County commissioners agreed Monday to pay a $2,832 vet bill for a dog that was seized by Animal Control last March, allegedly suffering from animal abuse and neglect. Daisy, an elderly cocker spaniel-mix, died in October.

The county was stuck with the bill after the owner, Rita Duschene of Oak Harbor, was found not guilty of the charge of second degree animal cruelty in Island County District Court.

The case started last March when Island County Animal Control Officer Carol Barnes got a call claiming animal neglect and abuse, and seized a cocker spaniel-mix that was suffering from a large tumor-like growth on its abdomen.

“I had never seen any type of growth of this magnitude,” Barnes said at the time. “I was extremely concerned.”

She recalls the dog was so lethargic she at first thought it was dead.

Barnes determined that Daisy’s condition required immediate attention, and with a court order seized the dog and took her to Best Friends Veterinary Clinic (then known as Animal Care & Laser Center). Veterinarian Celina Hatt performed a two-hour operation to remove a seven-pound, basketball-sized tumor from the dog’s abdomen.

The three page vet bill also includes charges for ultrasonic teeth cleaning, polishing and fluoride, as well as six teeth extractions, numerous tests and seven days of boarding.

Animal Control did receive a 15 percent discount, knocking $440 off the bill.

Animal old,

care costly

Duschene is still upset over the incident, which she claims led to the death of the dog that belonged to her late husband.

She said she couldn’t afford to take Daisy to the vet, and that she didn’t seem to be suffering. She also questioned the wisdom of operating on a dog that old. The vet’s bill lists Daisy’s age as 16 years, one month.

She estimates she spent an additional $2,200 in followup care and special food for the family pet, but that Daisy’s health never recovered.

She was also unaware that the aging dog had teeth problems, as she seemed to be eating well and even chewing bones.

“All I did was love and care for her,” she said.

While the case ended with a dead dog, distraught owner and nearly $3,000 tab, Barnes said this is the first time she can remember the county having to pay a vet bill, because she wins nine out of 10 such cases in court.

“Animal neglect is a very serious offense,” she said. “It’s not taken lightly.”

Dr. Eric Anderson, who is the head veterinarian at Best Friends, sees half a dozen animal control cases a year, but this one was unusual in the extent of the medical problems.

“This dog was clearly suffering,” he said.

Anderson said some pet owners would put a dog in Daisy’s condition to sleep, but neither he nor Barnes could make that call, because of the pending legal case.

Future vet care in doubt

County budget cutbacks however have forced Barnes to think twice about situations that might incur extensive charges.

She said if a citizen takes an injured stray animal to the vet, such as one hit by a car, they don’t have to pay the vet bill. But if animal control takes in an injured animal, it is responsible for the bill. Barnes said it has gotten to the point where if she is called out on an injured animal she will encourage the reporting party to take it in for care.

Barnes’ budget does include about $500 for putting severely injured animals to sleep, but that applies only to injuries, not illnesses. Still, it can be tough call.

“I struggle with putting a saveable animal to sleep because of lack of funding,” she said.

While the commissioners agreed to pay the bill, they were not happy about it.

“These are not the kinds of claims we should be paying,” Commissioner Mike Shelton said. “I don’t think this kind of situation will happen again.”

Shelton said the age of the dog and other issues should have been taken into consideration by animal control before Daisy was seized.

“The county can’t put themselves in the position of paying significant vet bills that the owner can’t afford to pay,” he said.

People who can’t afford vet care have few options in Island County. Whidbey Animals Improvement Foundation, WAIF, has a crisis care program for low income families that provides $50 per family per year for vet care, and a reduced fee spay-neuter program.

Dr. Donna DeBonis, of Animal Hospital on Whidbey, was not involved in the Daisy case, but said pet owners have a responsibility to care for their animals.

“Pets are a luxury,” she said. Pet owners need to work pet care, including vet bills, into their budget, she added.

She said her clinic will help out regular clients who find themselves in a bind, but are less sympathetic to pet owner who don’t provide regular vet care.

A pet insurance plan is also available for $10 a month, but DeBonis said very few people pick up the brochures which can be found in every vet’s office.

Anderson said his office can work out a payment schedule using a Care Credit card.

He suggested another option for pet owners who feel they can’t afford pet care is to give their pet up for adoption to WAIF or the animal shelter.

“A dog like that would find a home in a heartbeat,” he said. “The milk of human kindness is amazing.”

You can reach News-Times reporter Marcie Miller at mmiller@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/whidbeynewstimes or call 675-6611