Pet owner accuses vet clinic of negligence

Manama : A veterinary clinic in Riffa has been blamed for  negligence and lack of medical care by the owner of a pet dog.

Saurav Sen, owner of 10-month-old Shih Tzu puppy named Chotu, accused Home of Veterinary Medicine of causing severe eye damage to his puppy.

Chotu was first handed over to the clinic on July 2 for care and protection before Sen went abroad. The daily rate agreed to keep and care for the dog was BD5 without food. Emergency contact numbers were also provided to the clinic.

Sen was informed about the eye injury by his friends, who visited Chotu in the clinic on July 11. 

Sen, who contacted the clinic, was informed that puppy lost vision of his right eye after a self-inflicted injury on July 7. 

The authorities also informed that an eye ointment has been given and that the puppy was kept isolated.

Mr Sen explained that the puppy had no previous health issues and was perfectly sound. 

“The doctor did not inform us about the injury for five days. Had he acted suddenly, it might have saved the puppy’s eye. We had provided necessary contact numbers of our friends for emergencies, but none of them were informed. This as shear negligence from the part of the veterinary medical practitioner.”said Sen.

On the morning of July 13, Chotu was immediately admitted to the next veterinary clinic for an emergency surgery. The hospital (Dr. Nonie Coutts clinic) confirmed the permanent loss of vision of his right eye and recommended an emergency surgery on his right eye to prevent the spreading of infection or any damage to the other eye.  Chotu had undergone a surgery on July 14 and he was kept in the hospital for five days.

Sen has approached different authorities such as the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA), Municipalities and Agricultural Affairs Ministry and the first clinic as well. He wants to identify those responsible for the fatal injury and reimburse all medical expenses made for Chotu’s treatment.

The BSCPA, have forwarded the case to the Ministry of Animal Welfare after which Sen did not get any response.