At-home attempt to neuter dog leads to charges | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register
At-home attempt to neuter dog leads to charges
By TOM ALEX •
talex@dmreg.com • August 11, 2008
An amateur veterinarian’s failed attempt to neuter a friend’s schnauzer became a police matter when the owner took the dog in for emergency treatment.
Hung Doc Vu, 49, of Des Moines, was issued a misdemeanor citation Monday for improper care and treatment of animals. The charge carries a fine of up to $500.
Police said Vu attempted the sterilization procedure Aug. 2 on Shelly Shannon’s dog “Pooper.” It was reported to police two days later and animal control officers were brought in. They said one testicle had been removed with a razor blade during the home procedure but the other could not.
Shannon, 7907 S.W. 10th St., determined that the dog needed professional help, so she took him to the Animal Emergency and Referral Center of Iowa, 6110 Creston Ave., where Pooper was treated and later released.
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Vu admitted that he attempted to neuter the dog and had not used pain medication, officials said. Officials said Vu told them he had been taught the procedure by his father and grandfather.
Officers noted that Vu has no veterinary license or training.
“His intentions may have been good but how he went about it wasn’t,” Sgt. Scott Raudabaugh said. “We had no indication that he was trying to be malicious.”
State Veterinarian David Schmitt said Iowa law allows home castration of livestock but not household pets. He said such reports are rare.