Dr. Thomas Stevenson, a veterinarian who was the subject of a Pennsylvania SPCA Humane Law Enforcement investigation, was found guilty of one summary charge of animal cruelty on December 16, in a Lancaster County court. In addition to the guilty verdict, the District Judge fined Stevenson $750 plus court costs. Stevenson’s veterinary license, which was suspended in May, may be permanently revoked by the State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
The veterinarian, who operated Twin Valley Veterinary Clinic in Honey Brook, Chester County, Pa, was in court to face the charge of animal cruelty which stemmed from an incident witnessed by an undercover Pennsylvania SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Officer on March 10, 2009. The officer, working undercover as someone interested in buying a puppy from a kennel that Stevenson was inspecting, saw him perform a medical procedure without anesthesia, pain medication or antibiotics. Stevenson believed the puppy had sustained nerve damage as the result of a previous accident and did not believe that any medication was necessary. Although the officer asserted the puppy yelped, shook and screamed in pain during the event, Stevenson contended that the dog did not react in pain.
“This verdict is a tremendous victory for our Humane Law Enforcement team,” said Pennsylvania SPCA CEO Susan Cosby. “It is always satisfying when the thorough investigative work and professionalism of the officers results in the conviction of a perpetrator of animal cruelty.
“We’re very pleased with this verdict,” said Assistant District Attorney Christine Wilson. “It’s consistent with the evidence presented in court to prove that the defendant’s actions were neglectful to the dog on that day.”
Since 1867, the Pennsylvania SPCA, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization headquartered in Philadelphia, has been dedicated to rescuing animals from abuse and neglect, providing lifesaving care and treatment, and reducing pet-overpopulation through low-cost spay-and-
neuter clinics and public awareness initiatives. Through these efforts, the Pennsylvania SPCA
prevents cruelty toward animals and promotes respect for their welfare, thus enhancing the lives of people and their companion animals throughout the state of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania SPCA operates adoption centers in Wellsboro, Centre Hall, Danville and Montrose, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia headquarters, located at 350 E. Erie Ave., houses a full-service animal hospital, obedience training academy, adoption facility, and the Pennsylvania SPCA Law Enforcement Department. Philadelphia’s Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT), powered by the Pennsylvania SPCA , is contracted by the city to perform animal control, as well as finding homes for Philadelphia's thousands of stray and surrendered animals via rescue, foster care, and adoption. For more information about adopting, donating or volunteering, please call 215.426.6300 or visit www.pspca.org.
