TRADE TALK | PET GAZETTE | 11
VN REMOVED FROM REGISTER FOLLOWING ANIMAL POISONING
CONVICTION
Georgina Bretman injected her dog with insulin causing it to suffer from hypoglycemia, collapse, convulsions and seizures
The Veterinary Nurse (VN) Disciplinary
Committee of the Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) directed that a
Dunbartonshire-based veterinary nurse’s
name be removed from the Register of
Veterinary Nurses following her conviction
in 2017 for causing unnecessary pain and
suffering to an animal.
In August 2017, Georgina Bretman
was convicted following her trial before
Glasgow Sheriff Court in relation to causing
unnecessary pain and suffering to her two-
year-old dog Florence.
The Sheriff Court found Bretman guilty of
causing unnecessary suffering to Florence
by injecting a poisonous or injurious drug –
namely insulin – causing the dog to suffer
from hypoglycemia, collapse, convulsions
and seizures, requiring immediate veterinary
treatment to avoid coma and death.
Following her conviction, Bretman was
sentenced to a Community Payback Order,
with a requirement to carry out 140 hours of
unpaid work, and an order was made to take
Florence away from her and to ban her from
owning a dog for two years.
The VN Disciplinary Committee hearing
for Bretman took place on Monday 20 and
Tuesday 21 May 2019. She admitted to the
charge against her.
In mitigation the Committee took into
account the fact she had no previous
disciplinary history, had received positive
references and testimonials and that,
following the conviction, she demonstrated a
willingness to be removed from the register
and to not work with animals to “avoid
causing embarrassment to the RCVS”.
The Committee then directed the RCVS
registrar to remove Bretman’s name from the
register. She has 28 days from being notified
of the Committee’s decision to submit an
appeal.
THE PET CHARITY ISSUES STATEMENT AS HADLOW COLLEGE
ENTERS ADMINISTRATION
The charity’s National Centre for Reptile Welfare is based on the college’s Hadlow campus
The Pet Charity has issued a statement after
Hadlow College, where its National Centre for
Reptile Welfare is based, filed for educational
administration.
Trustees at The Pet Charity have been
informed that if the application is approved,
Hadlow College will be placed into educational
administration on 22 May. The charity runs
the reptile rehoming centre from the college’s
Hadlow campus and the charity says it has
sought clarification from the college regarding
the impact of this announcement.
The Pet Charity says Hadlow College has
informed it that it will continue to operate
as normal, and there is no suggestion this
decision will impact the college’s immediate
future, or that of the reptile centre.
The National Centre for Reptile Welfare
will continue to operate as normal to receive
BESTPETS APPOINTS DAVID WARREN AS
PET ACCESSORY MANAGER
Warren’s experience spans 40 years within the wholesale sector, having previously worked
for Batleys
Pet trade distributor, Bestpets has
announced it has appointed David Warren
as manager of pet accessories.
Warren’s experience spans 40 years
within the wholesale sector, having
previously worked for Batleys.
Peter Brame, director of trading for pet,
www.petgazette.biz
said: “We’re pleased to welcome David to the
team, in what is an exciting time for Bestpets.
He brings with him a lot of knowledge, great
enthusiasm and a desire to help our retailers
develop sales.
“We have some great projects underway,
and having listened to feedback from
and rehome animals and we will continue to
remain in close contact with the college as the
situation develops.
The centre rescues and rehomes reptiles in
need across the UK, since it opened in August
2018 the centre has rescued 555 animals, with
over 70% of these already rehomed.
Tim Wass, chairman of The Pet Charity,
said: “The centre provides a valuable service
providing for the care and welfare of the
animals it receives. We are naturally concerned
about its future in these uncertain times and
hope that the current situation does not impact
on the long term viability of this important
facility.”
our Retailers,
Accessories is
an area we are
particularly focused
on developing
in the coming
months.
“David will
be looking to bring in new fresh ranges,
new ideas, work closer with existing and
new suppliers whilst reviewing the current
offering. We will be aiming to offer a point of
difference for our retailers so they can really
stand out on the high street.”
June 2019