Ferndale veterinarian accused of punching, taunting animals

 After reading the comments about Dr. Peter Rule it seems his skill levels are lacking in this field of work and a career change is highly recommended..

In the (human) medical world, a doctor taking prescription drugs without a prescription, as Dr. Rule has admitted doing, results in board sanctions against that doctor, mandatory drug rehab, and possibly a suspended license.  I don't know the board rules for veterinarians, but at the very least his behavior indicates poor judgement.  I certainly wouldn't take an animal to this vet if I wanted it to live.

Glacierview Animal Hospital received AAHA accreditation this week!

https://www.facebook.com/glacierviewvet#!/photo.php?fbid=508167449203694&set=a.360466543973786.85949.159732384047204&type=1&theater

 

It sounds like "Adam P. Karp" is implicitly threatening the Veterinary Board of Governors in the following post. I guess it is because everyone loves Dr. Peter Rule and "Adam P. Karp" didn't get any attention.

For readers unfamiliar with the Department of Health's disciplinary procedure, I offer the following:

 

First, any person may lodge a grievance with the Board or Commission responsible for monitoring its respective licensees. The Veterinary Board of Governors, operating under the Department of Health, monitors veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary medication clerks. To learn more about the VBOG and its members, see http://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/Veterinarian/BoardInformation.aspx.

 

The current members include five licensed and actively practicing veterinarians - Drs. Brett Bower, Timothy Gintz, Joseph Harari, Daniel Haskins, and Ethan Nelson, one licensed and actively practicing veterinary technician - Markinva Contris, and one public member (not a vet or tech), Naomi Carleton. Importantly, the vet tech member may not vote on any board decision involving an alleged standard of care violation by a veterinarian. RCW 18.92.021(3)

 

Second, the grievance is then "vetted" by a panel of at least three of the seven board members to determine if it merits investigation. If so, a DOH investigator conducts interviews, subpoenas or requests records, and otherwise responds to questions by the "reviewing board member" assigned the grievance. 

 

Third, upon completion of the investigation, the reviewing board member presents his or her recommendations to a panel of at least three board members to decide whether to issue a statement of allegations or statement of charges or to close the complaint. Majority vote carries. 

 

Fourth, if the Board votes to discipline, the matter is then referred to the Attorney General's office to prosecute. The Board staff attorney works with the assistant attorney general assigned to the case, but does not make the final decision to authorize filing of the charges.

 

Fifth, in instances where standard of care violations are alleged, it is common for the VBOG and/or the assistant attorney general to consult with an independent expert before filing charges.

 

Sixth, once filed and served, the respondent has an opportunity to contest the matter before an administrative law judge. The State has the burden to prove licensing violations by clear and convincing evidence, a higher standard than with which most are familiar in civil litigation or infractions cases. Clear and convincing is a standard reserved for denaturalization and dependency proceedings, for example.

 

In this case, three separate grievances were filed against Dr. Rule in 2009, 2010, and 2011. At least a majority of the VBOG panel voted to investigate all three. It appears from the Statement of Charges that at least a majority of the VBOG panel also voted not to close the grievances but to pursue discipline in relation to many of the allegations contained in each grievance. Prior to the assistant attorney general signing and filing the Statement of Charges - which may be read at https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch/CaseLaserFicheDocView.aspx?DocId=177734, it is my understanding that the VBOG further retained an independent expert to review the allegations and medical records. The contested hearing involving the Statement of Charges is set for hearing in May 2013.

 

Thus, to rebut much of the supposition among the commentators on this webpage, the decision to issue the Statement of Charges was not made by the former clients and former employees who courageously shared with me their experiences, nor by me, but by other veterinarians on the Board, at least one independent veterinary expert, and an assistant attorney general -- who concluded that the evidence was sufficient to prove the allegations not just by evidentiary preponderance, but by clear and convincing evidence.

 

But you do not just have to take my word for the process. I encourage readers to review Ch. 18.92 RCW (the veterinary practice act, http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.92), Ch. 18.130 RCW (the uniform disciplinary act, http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.130), and Ch. 34.05 RCW (the administrative procedure act, http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=34.05). 

 

I would appreciate it everyone would take the time to read my comments.  My pets have gone to Glacierview Animal Hospital for over 10 years.  Dr. Rule has euthanized both my cat and dog and is currently my vet of choice for my miniature schnauzer. I've always said that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but maliciously and blindly attacking someone based upon a brief and largely inaccurate article is absurd.  All of you should realize that it is very easy to second guess someone's actions.  All of you, myself included, do not know the exact circumstances surrounding any of the allegations and by being so quick to judge Dr. Rule only makes you look foolish. You don't know all of the facts.  You don't know the individual employees who made these false allegations. Were they using while employed with Dr. Rule? Did their using stop prior to employement or not?  Did they steal meds from him? All of you need to ask yourselves the 5 W questions.  Who, what, where, when, why and how before you pass judgement.  I don't understand why the Herald would print an article like this in the first place.  It's highly inflammatory and reckless. Obviously the Herald didn't do background checks on their sources because if they did this article would've never made it to print.  Obviously Adam Karp doesn't have enough business because if he did he would be focusing his efforts on puppy mills operating in the county, not trying to malign an upstanding member of our community.   I have the utmost respect and admiration for Dr. Rule.  He is a gifted, talented and kind hearted vet. I hope that when the follow up article comes out all of you who malicously maligned Dr. Rule will be quicker to apologize to him.  The Bellingham Herald has lost my respect and business. It's shameful really.

The story has no merit until the board reviews the facts and acts upon them.  It could however destroy this mans livelihood which the story seems to indicate he's performed otherwise admirably for sometime. As for all the "experts" weighing in if you have led an exceptionally perfect life than cast all the stones you like at this man otherwise take a breather.  As for the "former employees" argument it seldom holds any weight since the "disgruntled" factor usually negates their "statements" unless their is evidence (untainted) to support their statements. 

I guess anybody can make an accusation to the "state board" and the TV will pick it up and run with it.  No wonder people rate the media lower on  "trust"  than politicians.  If this guy really was guilty of these things, he would have already lost his license.  Remember the famous , " It isn't the proof of the charges that counts, it is the seriousness of the charges."  Watch out folks!

I have taken many of my own pets to Dr. Rule to be treated and he has always given my animals the utmost care and gentleness than any other vet I have ever been to. This saddens me that people could really be so hostile to someone who is in fact a terrific vet.

He looks like a growler.....

at the very least this doc is being stupid. IF any health care practitioner is accused of negligence or malpractice, etc. and knows he/she has been reported to their licensing board or receives notice of a lawsuit one does NOT.......NOT make statements about it to anyone ! period. He should be talking to his malpractice insurance company to notify them of complaints and his attorney. just in case. whether charges are true or not - he is making a BIG mistake talking to either the complainents or the media. just plain stupid just on that level.....the rest will be decided by the board.

Damn idiot is lucky he ain't MY vet!  Otherwise he would be looking for a vet himself. I can't say a doctor 'cause what he's probably done is inhuman!

I am SO lucky to have THE best vet in the world.  She has been our family vet since she first qualifed.  She is fighting stage 4 ovarian cancer, and despite having some issues with her chemo she still comes in at least once a week for her longtime, faithful patients. 

 

This guy should be..............I can't even put it into words.

If he did any of those things, he should lose his license. He should lose his license just for taking dogs meds. What a jerk.

I don't know why anyone would take a creature in to get its stones cut off then excuse someone else of cruelty to it.

Son of the devil! I think he chose this profession so he could get away with abusing or murdering animals.I hope he will not be allowed to practice anymore. Poor dogs!  Note to the pet owners: DO NOT take your animals to this evil guy!

"(To) put a statement of charges out that is inflammatory, that's really horrendous," he said. "How dare they?"

 

I'm sorry to pick your nits KOMO, but in English writing we use brackets [    ]  to modify statements, not parentheses (   ).  It's frustrating to see you do this in all your articles.  You should be demonstrating proper writing habits to your readers.  Thank you.  

People don't properly train their pets. The smaller breeds are especially aggressive for that reason. People bring their untrained pets to a vet who puts the animal in his place and it can be a bit jarring. Vets have a responsibility to subdue their patients for his own safety and the safety of others. If growling is working for this vet then growl away. Although, even that has yet to be proven.

 

Imagine a highly energized heroin addict coming into an emergency room and swinging and biting at doctors. Do you think they stand by and let that happen? No, they call in security to restrain and it isn't pretty and people get hurt.

 

If you investigate this case a bit further, you will find there is a so called animal lawyer causing trouble for local vets. He is your typical lawsuit happy lawyer in our already over litigious society. He is upset that animals' sentimental value does not translate into monetary value. He hopes to change that and bring more $$ for himself.

I do hope the Washington State Board of Health has open hearings and that KOMO will keep the public informed about them and also the outcome.  If these allegations are true, he needs to lose his license, be sued by current and former patients, and the prosecutor in Whatcom County needs to file animal cruelty charges against him. The humane society should then seize any animals in his posession. He is an outright embarassment to the veterinary profession.

He needs to lose his license, then spend a few months in a cage and let Bubba and friends taunt him, pull his legs and other dangling parts! R.S. says he's chewed out staff in front of them. First rule of supervision - NEVER chastise your employees in front of other staff or customers. Maybe they should gather RS and the like and let the employees chastise him in a demeaning manor. See how he like it. He sounds like an egotistical narcissistic idiot.

This DR(?) needs to be sued and kicked out of the profession.  He is a lying SOB and you can see that in his actions.  Good thing he is not my vet.

Dr. Rule has been our vet for the past 4 years, and I was shocked when my husband told me about this article. Never have we seen him act in the ways that are alleged by the state or the woman in the article. I don't condone the drug issue. I see that more as a stupid mistake most likely witnessed by a pissed employee. To be honest, it never seemed like his staff super cared for him because as one put it, he likes things done a certain way, after he chewed her out in front of us for not cleaning the office examine room prior to us coming in. If anything he is a picky boss. That's what I have seen. He has always been knowledgeable and good with our dogs, especially our aggressive chihuahua who he always makes a point to hug close to him. If anything I though he was extreme on the good side, not bad. I am trying not to judge him to hard just yet. Of course an unhappy employee is going to say things about him when a person from the state, who controls their vet tech license, is grilling them. And when it comes to the surgeries, even the very best of human doctors have issues and complications. That's the whole reason they have Malpractice Insurance. I want to see actual concrete proof before I really stop taking my dogs there.

If it proves true that he punched and choked dogs then damn straight he should loose his license forever.   There is no excuse for a veterinarian to intentionally inflict pain in those animals that he is treating.   My dog has severe hip dysplasia and a torn muscle in her knee, so if I saw that my vet was pulling and tugging on her hind legs it would be the first and last time that vet ever saw her, and I would file a complaint.     If the dog is aggressive and you as the owner bring it in for treatment then it should be on you as an owner to have that dog muzzled and ready for your vet and his staff to treat.  

 

Bottom line, if this vet is abusive to the animals, he needs to have that license revoked and find a new way of making a living.

Get him OUT of the business, sick man

Unless you guys know this guy or have seen him work, you can't pass judgement. You certainly can't pass judgement based on what one person says. And you can't trust the media either. For all we know, the person lodging the complaint is mental and the media is sensationalizing the story to get ratings.

Veterinarians, as a whole, are caring, ethical professionals who care about the animals they treat. But as someone who spent many years as a CVT, I can attest to what it's like to work with Jeckyl and Hyde type personalities who fawn and coo at pets in the waiting and exam room with owners, but are completely the opposite once a pet is checked in and away from view. I still recall the young vet, who's knee jerk reaction when a pet cried out or reacted in any manner, was to slap or scruff it so tightly, it's face became distorted. Growling, barking, poking and taunting by vets was witnessed too. Without question, animal abuse does happen in veterinary faciliites. It's not common, but it does exist.  

 

This article struck a chord, as I know the courage it takes to speak out when something is off. Most folks won't snitch on a current employer for multiple reasons (and Ferndale isn't exactly a bustling metropolis of employment opportunity, in case you wondered). These accusations likely surfaced long ago (the media is typically behind on these stories), so he knows he's being watched and must be on good behavior. If what he's being accused of is true, I certainly hope he loses his license to practice ever again. This is unfortunate all around.

Where did he say he growled at dogs?  I read

"I don't know if I growled at a patient or not," Rule said. "I do sometimes test the waters when I have an animal that appears aggressive."

 

He stated he tests the waters with dominant dogs.  He doesn't say he growled at them.  My dog snarled at my vet and he took the leash and walked him around.  Since then every time my big boy is at the vet I always ask if he's behaved and the vet always says "he's a dog".

 

Taking animal pain killers isn't a big deal.  My guess is it was tramadol. So what?  He wasn't high when at the office.  I don't live with daily pain so i am not judging. 

 

Some vets just don't know how to handle animals.  My big boy snarled at another vet and she made him wear a muzzle every time.  Yet another vet took my dog away from me (I had 3 in at the time) to the back to give him vaccinations and he was freaking out because he was pulled away from his pack! 

 

Thankfully I finally found a vet that isn't afraid of large dominant male dogs.

 

I hope it all works out for Dr. Rule.