The British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association wants the right to revoke the licenses of the veterinarians at the centre of a horse cruelty case being investigated by the SPCA.
BCVMA president Jeff Grognet says the licenses of vets Mark Marohn and Carol Schoyen cannot be revoked without a lengthy investigation.
Marohn and Schoyen owned five horses that were seized by the SPCA from a Langley farm a week ago, after a sixth horse collapsed as it was being used to pull a car out of a ditch. It was put down, as was one of the five horses taken away. The animals seized were found to be starving.
"The public outcry is for these people to have their licenses suspended by the veterinary association and unfortunately we can't do that," said Grognet.
"This case is a prime example of what deficiencies we see in our Veterinary Act. The Act does not give us the authority to remove the license of a practising veterinarian -- that's different than what a medical college can do with an M.D."
Grognet said the BCVMA would like the same powers, and added that the provincial government can grant it to them.
"It would go through the minister of agriculture who has jurisdiction over us. He would take it to the legislature."
In an interview with CTV, Minister of Agriculture and Lands, Stan Hagen, said they were looking into the case.
"We are looking at whether or not we can strengthen their legislation. If we can strengthen it we will," he said.
Surrey SPCA animal cruelty officer Eileen Drever said charges against the married vets would likely be filed by the end of next week.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Shannon Paterson and Jim Beatty
