| Complaint: | Complaint 21-76 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Brian Toncray |
| Premises: | 1st Pet Veterinary Centers Phoenix |
The complainant took her dog to Petco Grooming and went to pick the dog up. When she arrived she noticed someone was loading a dog into a car. It turns out it was her dog and they were taking the dog to 1st Pet in Phoenix. The Petco staff said her dog had an accident. She drove to 1st Pet and saw the Petco manager's car there. She waited a very long time and then Toncray called to ask what happened. She told him that something happened at the groomer. Toncray allegedly asked if the dog had been hit by a car. He also said that dog's legs don't just break like that and he thought it might be cancer or weakened bones. She asked to see her dog and said her dog was out of it and in pain; she asked the staff if they gave the dog anything and they told her no. She was told the dog needed painkillers just to do x-rays. Toncray called and said it was a bad one and would need a very extensive surgery, a long recovery, and a plate put in the dog; the dog would be in pain sometimes and need what was apparently described as "total care" for months. She says Toncray said that in such a situation euthanasia would be reasonable. Petco had apparently offered to pay for the minimum surgery necessary but 1st Pet wouldn't have a surgeon that could do it until Monday at the earliest; this was a Friday. Toncray also allegedly told her that the dog couldn't be splinted and would have to remain in the current condition all weekend; the complainant said her dog's stomach was bloated and passing gas and obviously had to poop but wasn't able to. She agreed to euthanasia but believes the way 1st Pet handled the case was inhumane, particularly leaving the dog in that condition without painkillers or other help. She also said that when Toncray first called he didn't even have the correct information about her dog.
We don't have much about what happened at Petco, but the complainant was apparently told a bit more. Her dog allegedly tripped and the back legs gave out; they tried to pick the dog up but the dog ended up screaming. She can't vouch for any of that as she never saw her dog stand up again.
Toncray says the dog was brought in by Petco, triaged, and put in a kennel. He came in to work and examined the dog after rounds. He felt what appeared to be a fracture and ordered the dog be put on painkillers. He says that he discussed the possibility of a fracture with the complainant and a Petco representative. He performed x-rays that diagnosed a fracture and recommended referral to an orthopedic surgeon. He stated that none are available on weekends, however, so the dog would have to wait. He also told the complainant there wasn't anything 1st Pet could do other than give the dog pain medications. He says that after he discussed postoperative care and surgical complications the complainant said to euthanize the dog.
The Investigative Committee had nothing to say on this one: "Based on review of the case file materials the Committee concluded there was not a violation of the Veterinary Practice Act."
| Source: | June 6, 2021 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Brian Toncray | Respondent |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Robert Kritsberg | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | July 7, 2021 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| Seconded By: | Jane Soloman |
| Roll Call: | |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Absent |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Sarah Heinrich | Absent |
| 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.