A West Jordan veterinarian faces criminal charges of practicing veterinary medicine and possessing controlled substances without a license.
Leo N. Taylor, 70, was charged in 3rd District Court this week with five counts of the unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine, a class A misdemeanor, and one count of unlawful possession of controlled substances, a third-degree felony.Following a March 1996 hearing before the Utah Veterinary Board, Taylor's license was revoked June 1, 1996, after he had practiced 40 years. Consequently, Taylor's controlled substances license, which expired Sept. 30, 1996, became invalid, the charges state.
But according to Dr. Sharmon Gilbert and Dr. Kim Hazen, who worked at Taylor's Brookside Animal Hospital, 7220 S. 1300 West, Taylor continued "practicing veterinary medicine on several occasions, including diagnosing various medical conditions, performing surgical procedures and administering medications."
"Dr. Hazen stated that he witnessed (Taylor) frequently reuse syringes on different animals without sterilizing them, perform surgery bare-handed without regard to infection, and frequently perform surgery without anesthetizing animals," the charges state.
In one case in March, Hazen witnessed Taylor spay a pig, the charges state. Three days later, the owner brought the pig back with its intestines hanging out through the surgical incision.
Taylor allegedly held the animal down and repaired the injury without using anesthesia, gloves or antiseptic to prevent infection, the charges state. Two days later, the pig died.
On another instance, Taylor diagnosed an ill dog with an enlarged prostate, the charges state. He put the dog on an IV and inserted a catheter but later "told Dr. Hazen that he had a problem getting the catheter tube into the dog's bladder but that he finally `forced' it in."
When the dog's condition didn't improve, Taylor suggested putting the dog to sleep because it was "chronically ill" with uremic poisoning and cancer in the prostate.
Three days later, the owners took the dog to another pet clinic.
Taylor's attorney, Ben Hathaway, called the filing of criminal charges premature and suggested a vendetta against Taylor by the state.
"We think the charges are ridiculous," said Hathaway. "This is a licensing matter that's on appeal.
"Dr. Taylor is the first veterinarian in the state to have his license revoked. But he's fighting it. He's not just rolling over or riding off into the sunset.
"The state got Dr. Taylor in its crosshairs and is doing whatever it can to get him because he's contesting the actions of the licensing board," Hathaway said.
"He is an admired and respected veterinarian by his clients and many of his peers," Hathaway said. "It's too bad that a 40-year career is being judged by the treatment of only five animals over the last few years," Hathaway said.
According to records provided to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing by the Butler Company, Taylor placed eight orders for controlled substances after his license was revoked. While serving a search warrant April 3, 1997, authorities confiscated seven different controlled substances from Taylor's clinic.
"Filing criminal charges, especially the controlled substance charge, is just ridiculous, especially before the appeal is heard. It could be reversed, and his license could be reinstated," Hathaway said.