Animal Owners Warned Of Invalid Veterinary Tests
Posted on Friday, 16 of May , 2008 at 6:15 pm
WASHINGTON COUNTY—Animal owners in the Washington County area have been notified by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets about invalid veterinary tests being conducted by Dr. Ronald Peters of Greenwich.
On Nov. 1, 2007, the state Department of Education suspended Peters’ license to practice veterinary medicine for a period of nine months after he was convicted of neglecting horses. Therefore, any rabies vaccinations, livestock health certificates, or other official tests for livestock diseases performed by Dr. Peters after Nov. 1, 2007 are considered invalid. Peters, 57, of Route 40, was arrested again earlier this month, charged with two felony counts of unauthorized practice of veterinary medicine and four misdemeanor counts of third degree forgery relating to rabies certificates.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Peters allegedly vaccinated several dogs and had issued rabies certificates which owners had filed with the town with their applications for dog licenses.
Valid proof of current rabies vaccination is necessary to get or renew a dog license, bring an animal into a state or county fair, and to avoid six-month quarantine of an animal that may have been exposed to rabies.
For those residents in Washington County whose dogs, cats or ferrets received rabies vaccinations from Dr. Peters since Nov.1, the Washington County Department of Health is holding a previously scheduled free rabies vaccination clinic open to all county residents at the Granville Town Highway Garage, County Route 24, Granville on Saturday, May 17 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Additional free rabies clinics will be held every month through the summer and fall. For specific dates and locations, contact Washington County Public Health at 518-746-2400. Residents of other counties should contact their county health departments to find out the date and location of free vaccination clinics.
Valid livestock health certificates and official tests necessary for movement of livestock and exhibition at county and state fairs must be issued by a qualified licensed veterinarian. Official tests include Coggins tests, cattle tuberculosis tests, and brucellosis tests. If any animal owner has had these or other official tests, rabies vaccinations or livestock health certificates done by Dr. Peters since Nov. 1, 2007, the procedures will need to be re-done by a qualified licensed veterinarian to meet requirements for these regulatory programs, the state Department of Agriculture and Markets said.
Peter’s license was also suspended for two years in 2001 after he was convicted fo offering false instrument for filing and petit larceny. 5-16-08
Category: Animals, Business, Consumers, Courts, Crime, Government
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