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Community Corner

Concerning A Local Animal Hospital...

   Today I was driving home and standing on the curb by St. Joe's church I saw an elderly Boston terrier. No collar, intact, filthy, skinny, curly toenails, think there was a cataract in one eye.  
   That intersection between Prospect Street and Hilton is a busy area and no humans to be seen. I approached the dog and he was more than happy to come to me. My mistake was stopping by a local vet on Springfield Avenue...I should have taken him to our vet in Livingston. Now that the Village Animal Hospital has closed our choices of reputable vets in Maplewood rests with Dr. Steck or the South Orange Animal Hospital.
    This doctor kept me waiting more than an hour. I explained the  the situation...he took one look at this poor beast...after that wait there were no apologies or even an examination. He said "Oh, I know this dog, how'd you get out again?".  I said "Well obviously someone isn't taking care of him"...his reply was he knows the owner, even though he didn't know the dog by name. This was a VET...this dog looks like it's been living in a dumpster and all this poor beast means to you is private property? 
    This particular doctor waxes poetic on his website about his caring and dedication for neglected animals. Yet when I checked back to follow up on the terrier's fate...he laughed and told me this dog was perfectly healthy, then in a condescending tone "Maybe you don't know, that's the way all older dogs are". No that is NOT the way all older dogs are.
    I've since networked and found any number of horror stories from former patients all related to this same doctor. How he has been allowed to stay in practice is anyone's guess. That said, I shudder at the future of Springfield Avenue and Maplewood in general with such inadequate veterinary care managing to create a booming business for itself. Is this the future of our town?

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