Wisconsin Veterinarian Facing Multiple Animal Abuse Allegations at His Clinic

A veterinarian from Waunakee, Wisconsin, is facing multiple allegations of abusing several dogs and cats that were being treated at his clinic.

Source: WMTV | News, Weather & Sports/YouTube

Dr. Wesley Arnett is now facing six counts of mistreating animals all at the Waunakee Veterinary Clinic, which he owned, according to court documents seen by NBC 15. The clinic has since released a statement and reported that Arnett no longer owned or is affiliated with the clinic.

The complaint outlines nine accounts given by employees who nearly all told investigators that they witnessed Arnett during at least one of the incidents. The complaint lists seven animals as having been abused by him, and the six charges against Arnett account for six of the animals.

The Waunakee Police Department joined the investigation into Arnett in July at the request of the Dane Co. Public Health Environmental Health Supervisor, according to the records. There were several reports and videos of Arnett abusing the animals, including the veterinarian slamming dogs’ heads into walls, picking up dogs by the neck and hitting them, and punching a cat several times with a closed fist.

One person told investigators that she quit because of the incidents she saw. Another witness said that she only returned to the clinic after she was assured she would not have to work with Arnett. Arnett has also been accused of accessing employees’ email accounts after he learned of the Veterinary Board investigation to delete any video of the mistreatment.

In a statement, the Waunakee Veterinary Clinic said that Arnett is no longer affiliated with the clinic.

“No other team members of Waunakee Veterinary Clinic have been implicated or involved in these allegations. The hospital is under new ownership, and the Doctor in question is no longer a member of the hospital team. We have ZERO tolerance for such behavior.

The current veterinary professionals at Waunakee have dedicated their lives to providing high-quality care of animals and are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals in our care. We strive to provide the best possible experience for all our patients by utilizing Fear Free strategies. We will continue to cooperate with all governmental bodies to ensure a thorough and complete investigation.”

We hope that Arnett is charged to the full extent of the law and that his veterinarian license is revoked.

While we cannot change the horrific treatment that many animals have already endured in the past, we can give animals a voice and hold perpetrators accountable for crimes in the present and the future. Many animal abusers are not held accountable by the law, which feeds into this horrific cycle of abuse.

You can sign this petition to demand all states make all animal abuse a felony.

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