| Complaint: | Complaint 22-141 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Bernard Mangone |
| Premises: | Palm Glen Animal Hospital |
The complainant says that their elderly pet pig went to Mangone for a serious mouth infection. During the dental Mangone called and said that the situation was so bad that recovery would be difficult even if something could be done, so they chose euthanasia. They gave approval to vet tech Yaya to provide a second confirmation. The next day Yaya had posted a video on her Instagram account of the pig's last dental making fun of the pig's stinky mouth.
The complainant spoke with the office manager who told her the matter was being dealt with and they didn't approve of it. However, the office manager also told her that they had signed a release back in 2021 (apparently about a rabbit); the complainant didn't understand it could be used like that. It appears that Yaya had a history of these kinds of posts, and at some point the office manager, Lori, tried to use the previous signing of a release about a pet rabbit to make the current issue go away. She also wonders why a vet tech was recording a video on her personal cell phone during a dental.
Mangone never responded to her concerns, and the last communication they received was an email from office manager Lori directing the family to seek care elsewhere.
Mangone's response focuses on the social media post. He says that they work with so many government organizations ("MCSO, DEA, AZGFD, USFWS and several others") that they need to have strict social media policies in place. He also notes that they work with externs from the University of Arizona, Midwestern, WestMec, and Carrington on a regular basis. He doesn't have Facebook so he hasn't seen the posting (it sounded like it was an Instagram account, but that's a minor detail). He also thought it was posted privately so the general public wouldn't see it. He said that he left the hospital manager to deal with it as felt it would be even more dangerous if he stepped into staffing issues, and that the complainant was herself so combative that the hospital manager wouldn't talk to her any more.
The Investigative Committee said that it was a communication issue. In some places posting such a video would be grounds for termination, but apparently not at Palm Glen; we're also told that they had questions about the release form being valid for all pets in perpetuity. They do regret that Mangone didn't bother to even talk to the family.
A couple of questions: Is recording a video on your cell phone during a procedure considered acceptable practice by the board? If Yaya was really a "technical staff member" is she a CVT? If so, she would fall under the state veterinary board for a possible investigation.
For another fun tale about euthanasia and social media postings, take a look at 21-43 from the prior fiscal year.
| Source: | November 11, 2022 AM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Bernard Mangone | Respondent |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Roll Call: | |
| Robert Kritsberg | Aye |
| Christina Tran | Aye |
| Carolyn Ratajack | Aye |
| Jarrod Butler | Aye |
| Steven Seiler | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | December 12, 2022 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Bernard Mangone | Respondent |
| Proposed By: | Darren Wright |
| Seconded By: | Jim Loughead |
| Roll Call: | |
| Craig Nausley | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Melissa Thompson | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Absent |
| Robyn Jaynes | 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.