The scar on Mr. Perugini's right thigh is from a pit-bull attack. Nearly three years later, the scar is still painful, and he has lost feeling in parts of his thigh.
Not long after the incident, the dog who attacked him appeared on the society's website, available for adoption.
It violated my professional oath
Two former shelter veterinarians and one current veterinarian told The Globe that they are not allowed to decide whether an animal should be euthanized. They are asked to clear any euthanasia procedures with the shelter management. This violates professional standards outlined by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, and a formal complaint was submitted this week.
Mr. McConachie said that veterinarians were asked to clear any decision to euthanize with the head veterinarian.
The Act states that veterinarians should provide “professional services under a written contract that provides that the member is responsible for all decisions relating to the quality and promotion of the member's professional services and the health of the subject animals.”
Mr. Trow maintains that the THS does not have a no-kill policy and denies that the shelter's veterinarians are influenced in their decisions whether or not to euthanize. “There's no pressure on anyone to do anything or not to do anything other than on professionals, professional doctors and professional nurses, to do the best they can,” he said.
Kitten with a concussion. In the summer season, staff said the shelter would become overrun with too many kittens to care for.
By law, it is a requirement for veterinarians employed by humane societies to have language in their contract that makes them responsible for all decisions relating to the care of animals.
“I couldn't work at the Toronto Humane Society any longer because it violated my professional oath as a veterinarian,” said Johanna MacNaughton, a veterinarian who resigned in April.
Another veterinarian, Amanda Frank, quit later that month for the same reasons.
“I would never make a euthanasia decision without great consideration, and I would only euthanize an animal if it was suffering with no chance of recovery,” said Dr. MacNaughton.
And an internal memo obtained by The Globe confirms that euthanasia decisions must be cleared by management, many of whom have no medical training.
“Going forward, please ensure that practitioners communicate with shelter management prior to taking any significant course of action, including obtaining concurrence as regards euthanasia, operations, and anesthesia, etc.,” the memo reads.
Harley sits with his hind leg extended, like a furry prosthetic limb. It gets a little stiff after long walks, but otherwise he's a healthy dog with a new home.
“I just wish they been honest about the condition of the dog,” Ms. Kendrick said.
