Blanket acceptable for transportation of injured dog

The veterinary profession’s reaction to the outcome of the recent disciplinary hearing into Mr M Chikosi was discussed by our new Operational Board at its first meeting, on 26 July.

We consider that it is acceptable, in most cases, to transport an injured dog with the aid of a blanket.

The hearing had found Munhuwepasi Chikosi guilty of unreasonably delaying attending a dog that had been run over at a farm, and of unnecessarily causing her to remain in pain and suffering for at least an hour.

The Disciplinary Committee (DC) had directed that Mr Chikosi’s name be removed from the Register for serious professional misconduct; the appeal window now being closed and no appeal having been made, this has been done.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, President Neil Smith said: “We fully support the decision taken by the independent Disciplinary Committee with regard to the Chikosi hearing, with one comment requiring clarification: the issue of whether a blanket can be used to move an injured dog. We consider that it is acceptable, in most cases, to transport an injured dog with the aid of a blanket.

“The profession should be reassured that our Standards Committee [the new name for Advisory Committee] will consider the general issues raised by the Chikosi hearing at its next meeting.

"This will not be a review of the decision, but form part of the routine consideration of DC hearings made by the Committee to see if they raise issues that require additional guidance and advice.”