By Sue-Ann Wayow
THERE are many people posing as qualified veterinarians but have not been officially registered.
In a recent statement issued on social media, the Trinidad and Tobago Veterinary Association (TTVA) stated, “Our country has been persistently plagued by reports of persons impersonating vets, as well as performing duties whilst not being registered.”
Anyone providing or offering the services of a veterinary officer or surgeon must be registered by the Veterinary Surgeon’s Registration Board. Anyone who is not registered commits an offence and is liable to summary conviction to a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for a term of five years according to the Animal Disease and Importation Act Section 21, the association stated.
Ministry employees responsible for animal health, and providing veterinary services outside the course of their employment are also liable.
And under The Pharmacy Act Sec 23 (2), any person other than a pharmacist, veterinary surgeon or a person authorised to do so; who retails veterinary biological products by oral or parenteral administration is also guilty of an offence.
TTVA stated, “We have placed the most updated list of veterinary surgeons we have available to us for your perusal. Please utilise this to determine whether the person performing surgeries on your pet is qualified to do so.”
On Facebook, the TTVA published a list of 478 names who are registered by the board as well as 12 names of persons who were not registered.
The public can also email TTVA at ttva2008@gmail.com if someone has been encountered whose name was not on the list and further clarification was needed.
