Veterinary nurse who poisoned her own spaniel struck off
A VETERINARY nurse convicted of poisoning her own dog has been struck off.
Georgina Bretman injected her cocker spaniel, Florence, with insulin, causing hypoglycaemia, convulsions and seizures.
The two-year-old dog required urgent treatment to save her life following the incident in 2013.
Bretman, 29, who worked at Glasgowbased Pets A&E, was convicted in 2017 of causing the animal unnecessary suffering – and ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid community work.
Although no explanation was offered as to why she harmed her pet, Glasgow Sheriff Court was told she was ‘an attention seeker’.
She has now been struck off by the Royal College of Veteriwas nary Surgeons’ (RCVS) Veterinary Nurse Disciplinary Committee. Announcing the decision last week, it said: ‘The committee recognised the impact this was likely to have on Miss Bretman, which was unfortunate given her young age and obvious passion as a veterinary nurse.
‘However, the need to protect animal welfare, the reputation of the profession and the wider public interest outweighed Miss Bretman’s interests and the committee concluded removal was the only appropriate and proportionate sanction.
‘The committee determined it important a clear message be sent that this sort of behaviour is wholly inappropriate and not to be tolerated. It brought discredit upon Miss Bretman and upon the profession.’
When Bretman was sentenced in 2017, Sheriff Joan Kerr told her: ‘Florence was vulnerable and she depended on you.
‘The motivation for you to cause Florence’s suffering will never be known, as you did not shed any light on this when you spoke to social workers. You have shown no remorse.’
Before the committee’s decision to remove Bretman’s name from the register and prevent her taking up future employment in the sector, she had provided a written statement, detailing how she grew up with a passion for animals and all she ever wanted was to work in the veterinary profession.
She said she had worked long shifts, but had relished the opportunity to learn and progress, often working more than 100 hours a week.
Bretman also spoke about the devastating effect of the incident and the shame that was ‘brought down on my head’.
She said she had been suspended from her job, which she had hoped would be her life’s work, less than two years after graduating from university.
Following her conviction, she tried hard to accept the verdict. But she felt veterinary nursing was her ‘calling in life’ and something she was ‘meant to do’. She added: ‘I miss working as a veterinary nurse more than I can say. It is my vocation but I lost everything.’
Following her suspension from work, Bretman said she had to sell her flat and move back in with her parents.
She had not worked as a veterinary nurse following her conviction. Instead, she had found work as a waitress – but very much wanted to return to working with animals.
Bretman said she had kept her registration up to date, hoping that she might be allowed to return.
She accepted that the offence she had been convicted of was very serious and added she had completed her community sentence.
The Scottish SPCA welcomed the decision.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: ‘Bretman caused deliberate distress and suffering to her dog Florence.
‘We are glad that this case has been taken seriously by RCVS and that this decision has been made.’
‘Removal was the only sanction’ ‘You have shown no remorse’