Complaints to the veterinary disciplinary board related to the euthanasia of animals

This article presents an analysis of the formal complaints to the Swedish Veterinary Disciplinary Board (VDB) during the years 2018–2022 related to euthanasia of animals, which are highly relevant to the One Welfare approach. The aim was to examine whether the complaints were justified or not, accor...

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Main Authors: Charlotte Berg, Hannah Vickers
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1480106/full
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author Charlotte Berg
Hannah Vickers
author_facet Charlotte Berg
Hannah Vickers
author_sort Charlotte Berg
collection DOAJ
description This article presents an analysis of the formal complaints to the Swedish Veterinary Disciplinary Board (VDB) during the years 2018–2022 related to euthanasia of animals, which are highly relevant to the One Welfare approach. The aim was to examine whether the complaints were justified or not, according to the disciplinary investigations carried out, and whether animals had been exposed to unnecessary suffering during these interventions. The reasons for the complaints were investigated and categorized. The results showed that incorrect treatment or handling of the animal was the most common reason for reporting a veterinarian to the VDB, while the main underlying cause, based on the qualitative analysis, was found to be communication barriers. However, the number of complaints leading to disciplinary outcomes (admonitions or warnings) was very low. The vast majority (45 out of 47) of complaints relating to euthanasia were therefore not legally justified as per the VDB decision, as the veterinary staff were found to have acted correctly from a veterinary and animal welfare perspective. Nevertheless, even unjustified complaints can be very stressful for the veterinarian and should be minimized.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2297-1769
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
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spelling doaj-art-2369034f9d29441fae335b3bde612fc82024-12-16T06:18:41ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692024-12-011110.3389/fvets.2024.14801061480106Complaints to the veterinary disciplinary board related to the euthanasia of animalsCharlotte BergHannah VickersThis article presents an analysis of the formal complaints to the Swedish Veterinary Disciplinary Board (VDB) during the years 2018–2022 related to euthanasia of animals, which are highly relevant to the One Welfare approach. The aim was to examine whether the complaints were justified or not, according to the disciplinary investigations carried out, and whether animals had been exposed to unnecessary suffering during these interventions. The reasons for the complaints were investigated and categorized. The results showed that incorrect treatment or handling of the animal was the most common reason for reporting a veterinarian to the VDB, while the main underlying cause, based on the qualitative analysis, was found to be communication barriers. However, the number of complaints leading to disciplinary outcomes (admonitions or warnings) was very low. The vast majority (45 out of 47) of complaints relating to euthanasia were therefore not legally justified as per the VDB decision, as the veterinary staff were found to have acted correctly from a veterinary and animal welfare perspective. Nevertheless, even unjustified complaints can be very stressful for the veterinarian and should be minimized.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1480106/fullanimal welfarecompanion animalscomplaintseuthanasiaOne Welfareveterinary clinic
spellingShingle Charlotte Berg
Hannah Vickers
Complaints to the veterinary disciplinary board related to the euthanasia of animals
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
animal welfare
companion animals
complaints
euthanasia
One Welfare
veterinary clinic
title Complaints to the veterinary disciplinary board related to the euthanasia of animals
title_full Complaints to the veterinary disciplinary board related to the euthanasia of animals
title_fullStr Complaints to the veterinary disciplinary board related to the euthanasia of animals
title_full_unstemmed Complaints to the veterinary disciplinary board related to the euthanasia of animals
title_short Complaints to the veterinary disciplinary board related to the euthanasia of animals
title_sort complaints to the veterinary disciplinary board related to the euthanasia of animals
topic animal welfare
companion animals
complaints
euthanasia
One Welfare
veterinary clinic
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1480106/full
work_keys_str_mv AT charlotteberg complaintstotheveterinarydisciplinaryboardrelatedtotheeuthanasiaofanimals
AT hannahvickers complaintstotheveterinarydisciplinaryboardrelatedtotheeuthanasiaofanimals