Vet to keep his license after animal abuse, stealing pain meds

FERNDALE -- A  veterinarian was put on probation earlier this month after the state's vet board determined he used unnecessary force on animals, including pulling their tails and punching dogs, and stole medication meant for animals, the Bellingham Herald reports.

Veterinarian Peter Rule of the Glacierview Animal Hospital in Ferndale will get to keep his license, the state's Veterinary Board of Governors ruled in September, the Herald reported.

Rule was under observation after three employees at the Glacierview Animal Hospital alleged he used unnecessary force on animals. Rule allegedly confessed to the allegations, as well as taking a painkiller usually prescribed to animals while practicing.

Two dogs died during routine operations at the animal hospital from 2005 to 2008, the Herald reported.

The board decided to let Rule keep his license if he underwent treatment for substance abuse, allowed two inspections of his practice per year, paid a $6,000 fine and agreed to other regulations.

Rule has been a licensed vet for more than 10 years. He also works as an EMT.