| Complaint: | Complaint 19-02 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Robert Thrift |
| Premises: | Bell Animal and Bird Hospital |
The complainant took his 13-year-old bird to Thrift for a swollen eye. He prescribed antibiotics. The complainant says the eye cleared up but the bump below the eye didn't, so they made another appointment. Thrift wanted to lance the bump and the complainant agreed. The complainant says Thrift used something like an X-Acto knife to cut, at which point there were blood drops in several locations. Thrift then informed him that the bird was dead. The complainant says he doesn't want to hurt Thrift's reputation, but he feels his bird would still be alive today if had hadn't gone there. He believes that at the very least the clinic needs investigated and assigned some sensitivity training.
Thrift details the procedure and confirms the bird died right after taking the specimen. He says that he checked with a stethoscope and the bird's heart had just stopped. He also says he's never seen something like this. Regarding explanations, he states that the bird may have been hiding a more severe sickness and suggests that the complainant had fed the bird an unhealthy seed-based diet that probably made the bird less healthy as well. He also points to a book by Axelson that says that particular type of bird only lives to 10 to 14 years anyway.
The Investigative Committee said that the bird was old and sick and that the complainant hadn't fed it well. They summarize with what sounds like a product disclaimer: "Birds are fragile and sudden death can occur."
| Source: | October 10, 2018 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Robert Thrift | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Absent |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Christine Butkiewicz | Aye |
| Donald Noah | Aye |
| William Hamilton | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | November 11, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Christina Bertch-Mumaw |
| Seconded By: | Jessica Creager |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Absent |
| Sarah Heinrich | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
The primary source for the above summary was obtained as a public record from the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. You are welcome to review the original records and board meeting minutes by clicking the relevant links. While we endeavor to provide an accurate summary of the complaint, response, investigative reports and board actions, we encourage you to review the primary sources and come to your own conclusions. In some cases we have also been able to reach out to individuals with knowledge of specific complaints, and where possible that information will be included here.