BOGDANOWICZ: VET SUSPENDED AFTER HE SAVED CAT’S LIFE

A vet who allowed a nurse to smuggle a cat out of a surgery after its owners asked for it to be put down was banned from work for three months today (Tues).

Przemyslaw Bogdanowicz had been asked to put 14-year-old pet Jason to sleep by his owners on June 24 last year after treating him for stomach problems.

But he let veterinary nurse Sally Roberts take the cat home after she approached him and asked if she could look after the animal.

When suspicions were raised by a microchipping company, Bogdanowicz lied to bosses to cover his tracks.

He admitted a string of charges at a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons misconduct hearing in central London and was handed a three-month suspension order.

Panel chair Judith Webb said: ‘The committee is satisfied that the facts amount to disgraceful conduct in a professional respect.

He acted in breach of trust to both his client and employer.

‘He acted dishonestly, and had several opportunities to set the record straight, which he failed to do.

‘The committee considers that it is unlikely Mr Bogdanowicz will put himself in a similar position again.

‘Having heard his evidence, it has formed the view that he has learned his lesson.

‘The committee considers it would perform a disservice to the community to direct a lengthy suspension.

‘Mr Bogdanowicz has strong support from his clients, including a sizeable Polish and Eastern European community in Northamptonshire.’

Bogdanowicz had been looking after Jason in June last year and suggested fitting a feeding tube to treat a stomach problem.

But the owners decided they didn’t want their pet to undergo further treatment and asked the vet to put him to sleep.

As he was about to carry out the procedure, Mrs Roberts told him she wanted to nurse the animal at home.

After Bogdanowicz agreed she telephoned microchipping company Anibase to request they transfer the registration to her.

The firm spoke to the owners and advised them to contact the practice, at which point the nurse said Jason had escaped through an open window but had been found two days later and put to sleep.

When a complaint was lodged in October, Bogdanowicz agreed to go along with her of events knowing it was a lie.

The pair were grilled by bosses and initially stuck to Mrs R’s story.

Their deceit only came out when Mrs Roberts broke down when she was confronted about the holes in her account.

Bogdanowicz apologised personally to the owners before being dismissed from the practice for gross misconduct.

He admitted all the charges against him at a disciplinary hearing in central London.

The committee ruled that a three month suspension order was sufficient punishment for the Polish vet, who qualified in 2004 and came to the United Kingdom in 2008.

ENDS