Veterinarian fatally bludgeoned two dogs with log-splitting mallet
Colleyville, TX (US)Incident Date: Friday, Jul 4, 2003
County: Tarrant
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 1 files available
Defendant/Suspect: Mircea V. Volosen
Case Updates: 5 update(s) available
Neighbors of a veterinarian accused of fatally bludgeoning two dogs in his back yard in a year say they want the man's veterinary license revoked.
Mircea Volosen of Colleyville killed a miniature dachshund Friday with a log-splitting mallet, said the dog's owner, Kevin Ball. Ginger had escaped from the Balls' back yard, which is behind Volosen's, but Ball said he screamed for the vet to stop hitting the 2-year-old dog.
Volosen, 44, was arrested Friday and released that day pending further investigation. Police said he will be re-arrested on a warrant issued Tuesday alleging animal cruelty.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
Volosen, a veterinarian at Pet Doctor in Richardson, did not return telephone calls to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
In September, Volosen used a blunt object to kill a black Labrador retriever that killed seven rabbits and a chicken in his yard, according to a police report filed by Volosen. The Labrador had lunged at Volosen and tried to bite him, the report stated.
Michelle Ball, Kevin's wife, said she plans to file a complaint with the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, which licenses veterinarians. She said the family is not seeking revenge.
"He is showing a disturbing manner of behavior, and we think the community needs to know about this," she said.
Ron Allen, executive director of the board, said a license is not automatically revoked over accusations of animal cruelty but that the board would investigate any complaint. Volosen has no history of disciplinary action, according to the veterinary board.
At his office in Richardson, a woman who declined to identify herself said Volosen is "a very gentle and awesome doctor" and that he was justified in defending his animals in September. She said she was not familiar with Friday's incident.
Colleyville police Detective Doug Huseman said Volosen had a right to protect his animals in September but that none of his animals were dead or injured after Friday's incident.
The pet owners whose dogs got into Volosen's yard received no citations in either incident.
Case UpdatesAt a hearing Friday, Judge C.C. "Kit" Cooke suspended a one-year jail sentence for Mircea Volosen's felony animal-cruelty conviction and ordered him to serve two years' probation. He also must perform 200 hours of community service or donate $2,500 to the Humane Society of North Texas. He also must undergo anger control counseling.
He had faced up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Dr. Volosen showed no reaction during judge's comments in a courtroom packed with his friends and family members. Mick Meyer, one of Dr. Volosen's attorneys, declined to comment because the case is under appeal.
Assistant District Attorney Walt Junker supported the judge's sentencing and said he was confident the verdict will stand up under appeal. It's unclear whether Dr. Volosen will lose his license to practice veterinary medicine.
Ron Allen, executive director for the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, said the board will investigate once appeals have been exhausted. | Source: www.dallasnews.com
Update posted on Aug 21, 2004 - 10:19AM |
| A judge found Volosen guilty. He faces a maximum two years in jail and a $10,000 fine. A pre-sentencing investigation is expected to take 30 days | Source: NBC Channel 5
Update posted on Jul 15, 2004 - 2:38PM |
Mircea Volosen, 45, has waived a jury trial on the charge, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in jail and a $10,000 fine if he's convicted.
Instead, prosecutors will present their case before visiting state District Judge C.C. "Kit" Cooke. Volosen's trial begins today. | Source: The Star Telegram
Update posted on Jul 12, 2004 - 7:21AM |
| Clarification from TCAP: Dr. Volosen worked as a contractor for approximately 3 weeks through an area vet contracting group. His approximate last day was 10/31/03 | | Update posted on Feb 26, 2004 - 7:54AM |
Dr. Volosen is allegedly still employed at the TCAP (Texas Coalition for Animal Protection) low cost
clinic in Denton, despite the fact that he is currently out on bond after being indicted by a grand jury in Fort Worth for felony animal abuse. Dr. Volosen has allegedly not denied that he beat the dogs, and has instead justified his actions because has rabbits and chickens, and was "protecting his stock." | | Update posted on Oct 22, 2003 - 12:02AM |
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