Cat owner responsible for unauthorized vet bills after pet taken in by shelter: B.C. tribunal
A Metro Vancouver pet owner won't get all of her money back after being billed for veterinary care she didn't approve of while her cat was in an animal shelter.
A civil resolution tribunal decision posted Thursday outlined a dispute between the owner of a cat named Zuki and the City of Coquitlam. The tribunal heard that Zuki went missing last September and a member of the public dropped her off at the city-run animal shelter.
"Shelter attendants immediately brought Zuki to a private veterinarian for an examination," tribunal member Micah Carmody wrote in his decision.
According to an affidavit provided by the shelter's animal care supervisor and cited by Carmody, "Zuki was dehydrated, showing leg weakness, and overall frail."
"In the (shelter) attendants’ judgment, Zuki needed a veterinary examination," Carmody's decision said. "They arranged for that service from one of Coquitlam’s contracted veterinarians immediately. Veterinary records show Zuki was given an exam, X-rays, a fluid bag and medication."
The cat was brought back from the vet to the shelter where she was picked up by her owner, who had to pay the vet bills before retrieving the cat. Not long after, Zuki was put down by her regular vet.
She paid the bills, but Zuki's owner argued the cat wasn't in distress or in need of urgent vet care, saying she "was just elderly."
Zuki's owner also argued the shelter should have released the cat right away, when she called the day her pet went missing. However, Carmody said, shelter records show Zuki was already at the vet when her owner called.
She decided to file her complaint with the CRT to get back just over $384, which she paid to the shelter.
She did acknowledge, however, that one of Zuki's legs didn't work well and that the senior cat didn't often stray far from home.
"Given the evidence that Zuki was picked up some distance from her home, had a bad leg, was elderly and was euthanized shortly afterward, I find that Zuki likely appeared to be in distress," Carmody wrote, saying his decisions were made using a balance of probabilities approach.
"Shelter attendants are not veterinarians and cannot be faulted for referring Zuki to a veterinarian immediately in the circumstances. Indeed, failing to do so may have been a breach of the duty of care."
Carmody wrote in his decision that City of Coquitlam bylaws permit an enforcement officer to seize and impound "any animal found to be 'at large,' or that appears to be suffering or in distress." The bylaw also says the owner of an impounded animal can reclaim their pet by showing proof of ownership and paying any impound fees, custodial charges and vet bills.
Zuki's owner was ultimately awarded just over $75 from the City of Coquitlam.About $14 of that was to cover a veterinarian over-expense that was never reimbursed to her, for a pain medication that was no longer needed because Zuki was put down. The rest covered part of her CRT fees and pre-judgement interest, which, even though she was denied her full claim, she was awarded because of the $14 reimbursement.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.