SACRAMENTO – A Riverside County man has been convicted of one misdemeanor count of unlicensed practice of Veterinary Medicine as the result of an investigation by the Veterinary Medical Board.
Linden Richard Clark was prosecuted by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office after the investigation determined he was offering and performing anesthesia-free dental cleanings on animals without a license – which is illegal.
“Practicing veterinary medicine without a license is a serious violation and exposes the public to incompetent and potentially harmful services,” said Veterinary Medical Board Executive Officer Annemarie DelMugnaio. “It is important for consumers to verify a license to make sure they are dealing with licensed veterinary professionals. Consumers should also consult with licensed veterinarians regarding acceptable animal dental cleaning methods before they take their pet in.”
Clark violated Business and Professions Code Section 4825 and was placed on Summary Probation for 36 months, ordered to pay a $140 restitution fee and serve 150 days of work release. He was also ordered to personally inform all customers that he is not licensed or hold a registration, and have no professional contact with any animals unless under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian and must have a supervising veterinarian review his work for the first 60 days.
For more information about the Veterinary Medical Board, visit www.vmb.ca.gov.
# # #
The mission of the Veterinary Medical Board (VMB) is to protect consumers and animals through development and maintenance of professional standards, licensing of veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, and premises, and diligent enforcement of the California Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.
The Department of Consumer Affairs promotes and protects the interests of California Consumers. Consumers can file complaints against licensees by contacting the Department of Consumer Affairs at (800) 952-5210. Consumers can also file a complaint online at www.dca.ca.gov.
