Dear Editor: On Jan. 9, Judge Rhonda Lanford found probable cause of felony animal cruelty happening at Ridglan Farms, as well as multiple misdemeanors. This included mutilating dogs’ eyes and vocal cords, holding them in small cages causing severe mental distress, untreated injuries, unsanitary conditions and more — much of which the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has also been documenting for years. Lanford will be appointing a special prosecutor to investigate.
As licensed veterinarians, certified veterinary technicians and members of the public, we are deeply concerned by reports that non-veterinarian employees at Ridglan Farms performed cherry eye surgeries without appropriate anesthesia or pain management. We are further disturbed to learn that these individuals were allegedly instructed to perform these surgical procedures by one or more licensed veterinarians.
Only a licensed veterinarian may legally perform surgical procedures, including the cherry eye surgeries reportedly carried out by non-veterinarian employees, according to the Feb. 5, 2025, DATCP investigation…