The General Statues of the
State of
Because
the Veterinary Practice Act does not address fee the Board has no authority
concerning fees or the jurisdiction to settle monetary disputes.
Monetary disputes would be handled thought the courts.
Please
note that complaints cannot be accepted anonymously, by fax, or telephone
calls. A formal complaint is serious and will be treated as such. The process
takes time and may require the complainant to travel to a meeting of the Board,
and provide testimony under oath in order to resolve issues relating to the
complaint.
The letter of
complaint must be submitted in writing
Raleigh, N. C. 27627
Please type or print legible in black ink
The letter of complaint
should include the following information
The name of the accused
Individual(s) whom the complaint is to be file against. Complaints may not
filed against a veterinary practice.
Name(s) of any veterinarians
or veterinary practices, or individuals that may have further information or
medical records concerning the pet.
Detailed account of the
complaint/situation, including pets name, age, and breed.
Copies of any documentations
or information pertaining to the complaint.
Remember to provide your
address, and telephone numbers should the Board need to contact you.
It is requested that the letter of complaint be typed
due to copying.
When a
letter of complaint is filed with the Board office.
A copy
of the letter of complaint is forwarded to the accused individuals(s) for a
response. They are given 20 days from the time they receive the letter of
complaint to reply in writing.
A copy
of the accused individuals reply is then forwarded to the complainant.
If the
accused individuals reply does not answer the concerns of the complaint the
complainant would need to write the Board stating such within 20 days.
Complainants should understand that they may have to travel to a meeting of the
Board, and provide testimony under oath in order to resolve issues relating to
the complaint.
When a
response is received, the Board staff sends the complaint with all documents to
the Committee on Investigations to determine if probable cause exists.
After
the complaint is reviewed the Committee on Investigations will issue its
findings. That finding is prepared by the Boards Attorney and provided by
letter to all parties. In some cases the complaint could be continued until the
next meeting of the Committee on Investigations. All parties are informed of
this change in writing.
Should
the individual who made the complaint submit no response the Committee on
Investigation could dismiss the complaint.
The Committee on
Investigations can dismiss a complaint when it determines that
No probable cause exists
Lacks
the jurisdiction to proceed.
Lacks
a response from complainant.
When no probable cause is
found the Committee dismisses the complaint, a letter of statement is prepared
by the Boards Attorney and mailed to all parties.
Letter of Caution
When no probable cause is found, but it is determined by the Committee
on Investigations that the conduct of the accused party is not in accord with
Accepted professional practice
May be the subject of discipline if continued or
repeated
Letter of Reprimand
When probable cause is found, but it is determined
that a disciplinary hearing is not warranted the Committee on Investigations issues
a Letter of Reprimand to the accused party. When a Letter of Reprimand is
issued it shall be mailed to the accused party.
Acceptance of Reprimand by accused: If the Letter of Reprimand is accepted, a record
of the reprimand shall be maintained in the Board
office.
Refusal
of Reprimand by accused: The accused
party has 15 days from the date the letter is received to refuse the Letter of
Reprimand. This written refusal and request shall be addressed to the committee
and provided to the Executive Director of the Board. This is pursuant to
Chapter 150B of the
Legal counsel for the Board
shall prepare and file such Notice of Hearing.
Suspension of License/Registration
If the Board determines that
public heath, safety, or welfare requires such action, it may issue an order
suspending a license or registration. Upon such order the licensee or registrant
is directed to immediately cease practice in
Click Here to Download A Copy of Complaint Summary
Contact the
Raleigh, N. C. 27627
(919) 854-5601