RCVS Disciplinary Committee Suspends Lincolnshire Vet

LONDON, July 26, 2010 - The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
last week [22 July 2010] suspended a veterinary surgeon from the Register for
nine months for convictions regarding docking puppies' tails and driving
offences, and for failing to obtain a client's consent to treatment or
explore other treatment options.

At the conclusion of the four-day hearing, Dr Adetunji Ayinla Jolaosho,
formerly principal veterinary surgeon at City Vet Clinic in Syston, near
Grantham, was found unfit to practise following two convictions for tail
docking plus 17 driving and related offences, which also brought the
profession into disrepute.

They further found that he failed to obtain consent to remove tissue from
Jemma, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier owned by Mrs Hill, and to discuss a
reasonable range of treatment options with her, and that this also amounted
to serious professional misconduct.

In December 2008, Mrs Hill brought Jemma to Dr Jolaosho to have a lump on
her flank drained. Mrs Hill said she made it clear that she had limited
finances and nothing other than this treatment should be done without her
consent. Dr Jolaosho undertook a biopsy and removed tissue. He told the
Committee that he asked his practice manager to contact Mrs Hill and obtain
her consent, however, this was not consistent either with the clinical
records or a letter sent to Mrs Hill in December 2008.

"The Committee is satisfied that Dr Jolaosho did not seek to obtain
consent from Mrs Hill before he decided to carry out exploratory surgery,"
said Caroline Freedman, Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee "It does not
consider that there was any attempt to explore treatment options with Mrs
Hill before the surgery other than draining the mass."

On 16 June 2009, Dr Jolaosho pleaded guilty at Market Harborough
Magistrates Court to two offences of docking the tails of Rottweiler and
Doberman puppies. He was fined GBP10,000 and ordered to pay court costs of
over GBP3,000. During 2003 to 2008, he was also convicted of 15 driving and
related offences and twice of obstructing a police officer.

At the outset of the hearing, Dr Jolaosho admitted his criminal
convictions, telling the Committee of his difficulties following the death of
his wife in October 2002 and subsequent sole responsibility for his three
teenage children. He also said that the tail docking resulted as an oversight
on his part and that as the puppies were docked within five days of birth,
there were no welfare issues. He emphasised that he had not carried out tail
docking since being visited by the RSPCA in July 2008. He also drew to the
Committee's attention the fact that, until 2003, he had been of good
character.

The Committee accepted that for at least part of the period in question
he was suffering from emotional problems following his wife's death, and his
continuing financial responsibility for two of his children.

It was however, concerned, that having received a custodial sentence for
driving whilst disqualified, he committed further driving offences on
release. Nor did they accept that the tail docking was an oversight: in 2006
the RCVS advised Dr Jolaosho to comply with the RCVS Guide to Professional
Conduct and not dock dog's tails unless for "truly therapeutic or
prophylactic reasons." In view of the seriousness of the charges admitted and
proved, the Committee concluded that a period of nine months suspension from
the Register would be a proportionate penalty.

"The primary purpose of the sanctions is not to punish but to protect the
welfare of animals, maintain public confidence in the profession, and declare
and uphold proper standards of conduct," said Mrs Freedman."

"Bearing in mind the financial consequences of the suspension of Mr
Jolaosho, the Committee does not consider that any useful purpose would be
served by imposing a longer period of suspension," she continued. "However,
Mr Jolaosho should be aware that any further convictions or failure to
observe the College's Guidelines are likely to lead to the removal of his
name from the Register."

Notes for Editors

1. The RCVS is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the UK and
deals with issues of professional misconduct, maintaining the register of
veterinary surgeons eligible to practise in the UK and assuring standards of
veterinary education.

2. RCVS disciplinary powers are exercised through the Preliminary
Investigation and Disciplinary Committees, established in accordance with
Schedule 2 to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (the 1966 Act). The RCVS has
authority to deal with three types of case:

a) Fraudulent registration

b) Criminal convictions

c) Allegations of disgraceful professional conduct

3. The Disciplinary Committee is a constituted judicial tribunal under
the 1966 Act and follows rules of evidence similar to those used in a court
of law.

4. The burden of proving an allegation falls upon the RCVS, and the RCVS
must prove to the standard that the Committee is sure.

5. A respondent veterinary surgeon may appeal a Disciplinary Committee
decision to the Privy Council within 28 days of the date of the decision. If
no appeal is received, the Committee's judgment takes effect after this
period.

6. It is a criminal offence contrary to section 19 of the Veterinary
Surgeons Act 1966 to practise as a veterinary surgeon unless registered in
the RCVS Register of Members. Further information, including the original
charges against Dr Jolaosho, and the Committee's findings and decision on
sanction, can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary.

For more information please contact:

Claire Millington, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
+44-(0)20-7202-0783 / c.millington@rcvs.org.uk

For more information please contact: Claire Millington, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons +44-(0)20-7202-0783 / c.millington at rcvs.org.uk