Cropping dogs' ears without anesthesia
Crown Point, IN (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Jul 31, 2005
County: Lake
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Kimberly Lashenik
Lake County police say a Merrillville woman performed surgery on dogs without anesthesia in her apartment.
Kimberly Lashenik, 28, of Grant St., is charged with one misdemeanor count each of practicing veterinary medicine without a license and cruelty to animals.
The investigation of Lashenik began when a dog owner took his two pit bull terriers to a veterinarian for treatment of infected ears. The ears had been cropped improperly. Ear cropping is a procedure in which a portion of an animal's ears are cut off to enhance its appearance and to prevent it from being injured in animal fighting contests, the veterinarian told the investigating officer.
The dogs' owner showed the doctor a contract signed by Lashenik. The contract read in part: "We're not a vet. We just try to make a difference. We try to make sure all pets are as well cared for as possible. We like for all pets to be up to date with their vaccinations. If they are not, we also give the owner an opportunity to do it here."
The dogs' owner said he paid $40 for both dogs to have their ears cropped.
Lashenik admitted to the Lake County police Officer Michelle Weaver she performed the procedure and her boyfriend said she does not anesthetize the dogs, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Weaver said veterinarians usually charge between $100 and $150 to crop dogs' ears. She said it's possible Lashenik has performed the procedure on more than 60 dogs.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Weaver at (219) 755-3355. References
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