I
apologize for the photo – but – this what your spcaLA does …. Know that the
veterinarian’s license was revoked by the California Veterinary Medical Board
after they concluded that he (Ryan James Whitney) subjected a “feline patient to unnecessary surgeries,
and therefore needless pain and suffering.”
In 2015, spcaLA
Humane Officers began investigating Furrever Grateful Rescue (FGR) and Whitney
based on an animal cruelty tip. FGR was fundraising for Sandy on social media,
a practice not uncommon, and meant to pull at the heart and purse strings of
donors. They were, however, taking Sandy to Whitney for treatment,
spcaLA discovered
that Whitney was providing inadequate medical care to Sandy, who was suffering
from an erosive tumor that eventually ate away at the left side of his face,
including the left eye, part of the nose and mouth. Medical records from September 2014 show that tissue
was removed from the eye area three times, and the eye drained multiple times. No
diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment plan were ever provided by Whitney.
The investigation
by the medical board also showed that “Dr. Whitney committed other acts of
negligence and incompetence, and also maintained extremely inadequate medical
records.”
Sandy continued to
suffer as the tumor consumed his entire face and he wasted away to less than 6
lbs. Still his picture remained posted on the rescue’s Facebook page with a request
for funds.
Finally, FGR took
Sandy to a different vet hospital where the veterinarian noted that Sandy had a
large necrotic tumor and was diagnosed with end stage squamous cell
carcinoma. Based on his poor condition and abominable quality of life,
his refusal to eat and weight loss, the vet recommended euthanasia as there was
no effective treatment for his condition and his pain. FGR, instead,
opted to take Sandy home and continued to solicit funds. Profoundly
disturbed by this, the doctor contacted spcaLA and the veterinary board.
No living being
should ever suffer like that if such suffering can be alleviated. In a perfect
world no one should have to make the decision to pull the plug on a loved one
or exercise the right to commit suicide in a right to die state. But
euthanasia, when properly invoked is the ultimate humane action and the last
bastion of dignity to any living thing that is self-aware and in constant
agony. Sure, no one wants the deaths of healthy animals to be the solution for
finite space and resource issues. Sure, no one who loves wants to see their
loved ones die. But this? This, my friends, is often the reality justified by
the words “no kill”.
How do you call
yourself a saver, a healer, a lover of animals and allow this?
Note: Because the
rescue is within the letter of the law and “provided medical care,” there are
no animal cruelty charges pending against FGR at this time, however the
Attorney General is looking into whether they are compliant with annual
nonprofit regulations.
