Man Charged With Attacking Vet After His Dog Dies

[Steve]

http://www.wptv.com/mostpopular/story/Man-...HisUYPlMCA.cspx

PALM BAY, Fla. -- Authorities say a Brevard County man reportedly attacked a veterinarian after learning his dog died during surgery.

Police say 60-year-old Samuel Winstead dropped his pet schnauzer "BB" off at the animal hospital so Dr. Jason Frydelund could remove some benign fatty tissue from the animals chest.

Reports state that Frydelund said the operation went well and the dog came out of anesthesia. The staff called Winstead to tell him his dog was ready to be picked up, but minutes later, the vet believes the animal suddenly suffered a stroke and died. A second call was made to the owner.

"Apparently, he dropped his dog off for routine surgery, but the schnauzer died," said Yvonne Martinez, spokeswoman for the Palm Bay Police Department. "They called him to come get the dog and he just lost it. That's when he pulled out a knife and started to choke the doctor and pushed a nurse."

Witnesses told police that Winstead came to pick up the animal, but pulled a utility knife and started to choke the doctor. He eventually stopped and left but reportedly threatened to come back and kill the doctor.

Police responded to the clinic and stopped Winstead's car a short time later. He was charged with aggravated assault and battery. Winstead posted his $30,000 bond and is to appear in court on Sunday.

[spottychick]

Oh dear. Vet rage! ..... I must admit I sympathise with the poor bloke tho - but the reactions a bit extreme to say the least.

[SchnauzerBoy]

Only in the USA!!

Mind you, I can understand when it is routine surgery.

[Loving my Oldies]

Sadly, these things happen. Animals including people can have underlying conditions that are not at all evident prior to surgery. We are always being told that any anaesthetic has risks and, of course, veterinarians should be pointing these risks out to owners. (This is not to excuse the reaction of the person, of course. Just shades of the hugely prevalent attitude that someone has to be blamed for whatever goes wrong in life.)

I wonder whether in the USA they have to sign the forms that we do here (at least at my vet) if the animal is going in for even the smallest procedure.

[raz]

Only in the USA!!

What on earth is that supposed to mean? Only Americans feel immense grief when their pet dies from a sudden stroke or only American cops charge an idiot for pulling a knife and trying to throttle a vet?

[stormie]

Not only in the USA actually. My last boss was attacked after an owner broke into his clinic after hours to take his dog home from hospital because he'd changed his mind about treatment after the clinic had closed.

And the previous owner of this clinic was bashed and his wife threatened because of an owner who was angry about having the debt collectors phoning because he wouldnt pay his bill.

Fact it, whether its routine or not, the animal is still having an anaesthetic which involves risk.

[sandgrubber]

I could also see fining the reporter for confusing the plural with the posessive and saying the dog died during surgery only to go on and say the dog died after surgery.

Where are the grammar cops when we need 'em.

http://www.wptv.com/mostpopular/story/Man-...HisUYPlMCA.cspx

PALM BAY, Fla. -- Authorities say a Brevard County man reportedly attacked a veterinarian after learning his dog died during surgery.

Police say 60-year-old Samuel Winstead dropped his pet schnauzer "BB" off at the animal hospital so Dr. Jason Frydelund could remove some benign fatty tissue from the animals chest.

Reports state that Frydelund said the operation went well and the dog came out of anesthesia. The staff called Winstead to tell him his dog was ready to be picked up, but minutes later, the vet believes the animal suddenly suffered a stroke and died. A second call was made to the owner.

"Apparently, he dropped his dog off for routine surgery, but the schnauzer died," said Yvonne Martinez, spokeswoman for the Palm Bay Police Department. "They called him to come get the dog and he just lost it. That's when he pulled out a knife and started to choke the doctor and pushed a nurse."

Witnesses told police that Winstead came to pick up the animal, but pulled a utility knife and started to choke the doctor. He eventually stopped and left but reportedly threatened to come back and kill the doctor.

Police responded to the clinic and stopped Winstead's car a short time later. He was charged with aggravated assault and battery. Winstead posted his $30,000 bond and is to appear in court on Sunday.

[Zhou Xuanyao]

No, if he was some kind of Christian fanatic who turned it into a siege involving half the cities police force and thousands of rounds of machine gun fire, THAT would be only in America

Threatening someone with a stanley knife, that happens everywhere.

[mantis]

The risks pf surgery, the reason that Kenny's benign fatty lump on his chest will not be operated on, too much risk.