A Long Island couple is heartbroken, alleging that their cherished dog was neglected at a Nassau County veterinary hospital after undergoing an expensive hip surgery. Karen and Dave Freed say they were pushed to spend $15,000 on selective surgery for their 10-year-old Newfoundland named Poochbaud, hoping it would prolong his life.
Your heart sinks here, as things took a turn for the worse. Initially, after a pre-surgery X-ray, the hospital assured them everything was fine. But then, post-surgery, they were told their dog had developed pneumonia—something that pre-operative scans had actually indicated he was already suffering from, which could lead to serious complications.
“They said he was all clear for surgery,” Karen recalled, visibly upset. She continues, “Then after his surgery, they said he developed a mild case of pneumonia.” It sounds so misleading, doesn’t it?
The couple believes that, despite the warning signs, the hospital emphasized the expensive procedure while withholding vital information about their dog’s health. They faced staggering bills of $2,500 each night for a total of five nights, adding up to a shocking $27,500. Yet the reality was their pet was not recovering as they were told—he was struggling, not improving. “I feel guilty because this surgery was supposed to extend his lifespan,” Dave remarked, clearly distressed.
Bafflingly, they were allowed to see Poochbaud for just 10 minutes total after the surgery, under the impression that he was receiving constant care. They learned too late that he was in dire straits, lying on a blood-covered floor and suffering from dehydration. The clinic’s claims seemed to contradict what their dog was actually enduring.
Guidelines from 2020 indicate that dogs with lung issues face high risks during surgery, and the couple is enraged over what they believe is misconduct. An independent veterinarian evaluated their case and criticized the care their dog received as significantly below acceptable standards.
Now, the Freed family is considering legal action to hold the clinic accountable for their pet’s death, but they also intend to donate any potential settlement to charity.
Interestingly, the veterinarian responsible for the surgery has faced previous accusations of negligence in other cases leading to pet fatalities. There are even GoFundMe pages created by other families affected, raising money to pursue legal action against the clinic.
In a troubling revelation, a lawyer representing several clients in malpractice suits described the clinic’s practices as profit-driven—what he termed “blood money.” Reports from former staff members echo these sentiments, alleging a focus on profitability at the expense of quality care.
Unfortunately, officials from the veterinary hospital did not respond to requests for comments regarding this mounting controversy.
