Originally Syndicated on June 22, 2023 @ 9:30 am
There are accusations that Dr. Safi Chand violated the Veterinary Practice Act. Let’s read the full account of his conduct below to learn more:
In New Market, Maryland, Dr. Safi Chand, a veterinarian, identifies himself as the owner of the New Market Animal Hospital. He asserts that he’s dedicated to protecting the health of your pets and becoming an authority on small animal veterinarian care. In heated animal emergency rooms, according to Dr. Safi Chand, he has amassed a wealth of experience and perfected a number of therapies.
Dr. Safi Chand considers himself a lifesaver who has devoted his life to enhancing the lives of little animals both in Maryland and overseas.
The owner of the New Market in reality, Dr. Safi Chand asserts that he is constantly trying to improve his knowledge of veterinary practices and pet care in order to help animals live long and healthy lives. Safi asserts that he deserves praise for his extensive experience working in dynamic animal emergency departments, during which time he has created various strategies.
Dr. Safi Chand expanded his talents by specializing in emergency department surgery and medicine in 2005 after receiving his medical degree from Canada.
Later, he was honored for his four years of service as an emergency room clinician for CVCA and AVIM, Maryland’s biggest internal medicine and cardiology organization.
Veterinary Practice Act infractions
Safi Chand, Permit No. 6193, and the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (the “SBVME” or “Board”) have entered into this Consent Agreement and Order (the “Consent Agreement”), dated this 21st day of January 2021. In Docket No. 18-66A, the SBVME accused Dr. Safi Chand of breaching the Veterinary Practice Act, the Agriculture Article, Sections 2-301 to 2-316 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, and related Code of Maryland Regulations (“COMAR”) 15.14.01 to 15.14.17. This Consent Agreement puts an end to those accusations.
In an email sent to the Board on May 31, 2020, Dr. Safi Chand expressed his desire for the claims to be heard. After that, the parties began to negotiate a settlement. In a letter dated October 16, 2020, Dr. Chand’s lawyer informed the client that his client had chosen to waive the right to a hearing on the charges in Docket No. 18-66A and had also agreed to the terms of this Consent Agreement, which entailed covering the civil penalties and completing the necessary continuing education.
According to Maryland law, the SBVME is the organization with the responsibility of issuing licenses and enforcing regulations for the execution of veterinary healthcare in this State. This includes conducting enforcement actions against veterinarians who are alleged to have violated the Veterinary Practice Act’s provisions and any associated COMAR guidelines that were developed in compliance with this law.
According to its authority, the SBVME “may decline, suspend, or withdraw any request for registration or a permit, and reprimand or place on probationary any licensee if the veterinarian refuses to adhere with Board regulations and rules after receiving a license.”
A civil fine of up to $5,000 for a first offense and $10,000 for a second or succeeding one may also be imposed by the Board in along with delaying or terminating a veterinarian’s license. The gravity of the infraction, the violator’s good faith, any prior violations, and the Board’s regulatory requirements for civil penalties are all factors the Board must take into account when determining the size of a civil penalty.
What was the Order Against Dr. Safi Chand?
The following has been ORDERED by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners on this 21st day of January 2021 in light of the aforementioned Statements of Fact and Conclusions of Law:
- Terry Kehne’s 3-year-old male domestic shorthair cat Sylvester was treated by Dr. Safi Chand inappropriately, and as a result, he must pay a $3000 civil punishment with a one-year suspension.
- Dr. Safi Chand shall pay a $3000 civil penalty for failing to create medical records that appropriately reflect the relevant details regarding the progress and resolution of the case.
- If Dr. Safi Chand was found to have violated the Code of Professional Conduct by asking another veterinarian if they had paid a pet owner cash during the course of their professional engagement, they would be subject to a $500 civil fine.
- Within a period of six months of the date of this consent order, Dr. Safi Chand is required to pay the $3,500 non-stayed portion of the civil penalty with a check payable to the Maryland Department of Agriculture and clearly marked “SBVME – 18-66A”.
- Dr. Safi Chand shall be subject to a year of probation beginning on the date hereof. The veterinarian shall, during the period of probation, be subject to the provisions of this consent agreement and all laws and regulations governing the practice of veterinary medicine in this State.
The veterinarian must promptly respond to the Board’s requests for copies of medical records in order to confirm that Board requirements are being followed, as well as to requests for inspections or other records. When a veterinarian on probation is charged with violating the Veterinary Practice Act, related regulations, or the terms of this Consent Agreement, the Board must ultimately decide if the doctor was in breach. This is referred to as a probation violation.
If probation is violated, additional penalties could be applied, such as the veterinary license being suspended or revoked, as well as the lifting of the stay on the portion of the civil penalty that had been placed on hold.
- In addition, Dr. Safi Chand must complete the online Medical Record Keeping for Veterinarians program that Drs. James Wilson and Lance Roasa are providing at www.drip.vet during the course of the probationary period. The CE must be completed and submitted to the Board with verification of completion within six months of the date of this Order. To ensure that Dr. Safi Chand has completed the required CE, the Board has the right to review his CE records at any time.
The name of Dr. Safi Chand, the number of CE hours attained, topics discussed, and dates of CE offerings must all be mentioned in the documentation given by the CE provider. The Board has the right to review CE records for pertinent years to ensure that both the CE that is mandated by this Consent Order and the CE that is needed yearly for all veterinary professionals were completed in full. This CE will not count as the 18 credit hours of CE that are needed each year for re-registration of the veterinary license.
What is Animal Cruelty which Dr. Safi Chand was Accused Of?
There are many different ways that cruelty to animals is defined, depending on the country or region in which the act occurs. For instance, China did not even recognize animal cruelty as an issue until 2006, when there were no laws in place to forbid it.
In contrast, animal cruelty is strongly disapproved of and frowned upon in America and Europe. The term “animal cruelty” is used to describe any act of violence or neglect that a person commits against an animal. Dog fighting or leaving your dog in a hot car without air conditioning are two instances of this.
The most common kind of cruelty to animals is abuse, which frequently involves something as simple as not giving your pet adequate attention, food, or housing. Neglect can take many forms, such as hoarding, failing to provide medical attention, or abandoning your pet.
Direct abuse is damaging and unhealthy, despite the fact that it occurs less frequently. Humans have long viewed animals as entities that only exist for human benefit. Conventions in contemporary society encourage the careful treatment of animals and, whenever feasible, the avoidance of needless suffering.
Act Concerning Animal Welfare
States of today The term “animal cruelty” is defined differently throughout the United States. For instance, West Hollywood banned the declawing of domestic cats in 2003. Declawing household cats is not illegal in the vast majority of other parts of this country. The major piece of federal legislation addressing animal abuse is the Animal Welfare Act of 1966. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the AWA into law, making it the first federal law of its kind.
Surely, Dr. Safi Chand should have been more careful.
What are the Charges?
Specified species of animals used for research or other purposes are subject to AWA regulations on their care, handling, sale, and transportation. Despite the fact that it only applied to particular animals used for research, this law was the first of its kind in American history and represented a move away from animal cruelty.
A bill that would make torturing animals a federal felony, punishable by fines and up to seven years in federal prison, was recently passed by the US Senate. The bipartisan proposal has won the Senate’s unanimous support, and President Donald Trump is prepared to sign it into law.
Animal cruelty has a penalty, which is outlined in Section 578 of the Missouri Revisor of Statutes. When an animal is purposefully killed or harmed in a way that is against the law, it is considered to have been subject to animal abuse in Missouri. Animal abuse may also be proven by proof of animal neglect, which leaves the animal severely injured.
Unless a person has already been convicted of animal abuse, Missouri classifies animal abuse as a Class A misdemeanor. If such were the case, the offender would face a Class D felony charge, which carries much heavier punishments.
The state of Missouri prohibits neglecting animals as well.
In Missouri, if a person has custody or ownership of an animal yet neglects to provide for its needs, they may be prosecuted for animal neglect. Animal neglect, a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or incarceration, can be committed by leaving an animal behind. A Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of no more than $1,000, or both is brought against the same person if they neglect animals once more.
Conclusion
Finally, the best thing we can say about Dr. Safi Chand is that he actually acts dishonestly in his capacity as a veterinary specialist and treats animals unfairly in his procedures. What do you think about Dr. Safi Chand right now? Is it proper for him to obtain the prestigious position of veterinarian and Animal Hospital owner? Are his activities morally right in the eyes of humanity?
On the other hand, I would also mention that Dr. Safi Chand is utilizing fake PR to enhance both his reputation as a person and that of his animal hospital.
