lucy

On August 31, 1999, Lucy, a seven-month old springer spaniel was taken to the Crestview Animal Hospital, which is a one-doctor practice run by Dr. Steven Ginsberg in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Lucy had been hit by a car and had a broken spine. Lucy�s guardian chose to have Lucy euthanized, so he paid for the services and left. However, Dr. Ginsberg did not perform this procedure right away. When he was asked why not, he said that he was going to try and perform Lucy's back surgery.

On September 2, it was discovered that Lucy had fallen from her cage. She was lying on the floor in front of the lab door, crying, and apparently had been out of her cage most of the night, because urine was pooled in several areas throughout the clinic. As she was unable to walk, she must have dragged herself across the floor. Technicians tried to move her, but she cried out from pain, so they waited until the doctor came in so he could help them move her and put her back in her cage. They were afraid to move her since movement caused Lucy a great deal of pain, and one tech was unsure of how to properly move a dog with a broken back without possibly causing more injury to her. One technician set up for the euthanasia procedure, assuming the doctor would be doing this as soon as he arrived.

When the doctor arrived, he yelled because Lucy was not in her cage. He went to pick her up to move her, and she cried out in pain. He swung his arm and with his hand open, using his palm, he slugged her hard on her chest. She fell to her side. Also, on the previous day, another tech alleged that Doctor Ginsberg had dropped Lucy on the cement floor while carrying her to the cage. He became angry with her because she was crying (from the pain the movement was causing), and he dropped her on purpose and then yelled at a technician to put her away.

Other than take an X-ray, Dr. Ginsberg did not observe Lucy, nor did anything else to make her comfortable or to prevent further complications. Based on tech observations and Lucy's medical reports, Lucy was given only one pain injection, and that was at the time of her arrival following her accident on August 31. She was in severe pain with any type of movement. Several times, when a technician arrived to check on Lucy in the evening hours, she was laying in her feces and urine. This was because she had no bladder control and was not having her bladder expressed every 2-3 hours as she should have.

Lucy's guardian took her out of the clinic on September 14, had her treated and cared for by another veterinarian and then released her to a technician who no longer worked for Dr. Ginsberg, as Lucy required around the clock care and attention. After the technician consulted with two other veterinarians and a specialist at MSU, the technician was told that there was not a medical cure that would allow Lucy to regain control of her bladder and that this would most likely be a lifetime condition for her. Her quality of life would be marginal, and she would also experience urinary tract infections on a regular basis. So, in all fairness to Lucy, her previous guardian and the technician chose to have her euthanized, and Lucy left this earth on October 5, 1999.

"Lucy was a brave victim who suffered a very traumatic experience. To witness abuse of a helpless, suffering and frightened dog is a tormenting circumstance. It is not unlike a pediatrician hitting an unsettled, helpless and frightened child during an office visit. Does anyone find child abuse acceptable? Lucy deserves justice." (quote by Lisa Marie Tabor)

Poor Lucy. How she must have suffered! To think about the pain this poor little girl went through is almost unbearable and brings you to tears. She had the sweetest little face. Please do what you can to help bring this veterinarian to justice. We cannot let him get away with this cruelty. Lucy didn�t have to suffer so. How could anybody be so heartless and unfeeling?

There was a hearing set for Dr. Ginsberg in June, but it has been canceled due to a settlement between the Attorney General and Dr. Ginsberg/defense. There will be a state board meeting August 23, 2001, and, at that time, the results of the settlement will be made public.

Unfortunately, according to other allegations, Lucy is not the only animal who has suffered at the hands of Dr. Ginsberg. It is it amazing is that Dr. Ginsberg is still operating the Crestview Animal Hospital. We personally called the Hospital and verified this. The contact information for the Crestview Animal Hospital is below. Please help us keep Dr. Ginsberg from harming any other animals, and please help us find Justice for sweet little Lucy.

Steven Ginsberg, DVM
Crestview Animal Hospital
6044 Gull Road
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49004
(616) 382-2852

It has been 2 years since allegations were filed against Dr. Steven Ginsberg for the abuse to Lucy. Numerous additional allegations were filed against him after Lucy suffered abuse and the Michigan Attorney General opened an investigation.

Charges were since filed against Steven Ginsberg, and a settlement has been reached. Please send your letters to let the authorities know that Lucy and the other animal victims have not been forgotten. The results of the settlement will be posted in August after the Michigan State Veterinarian Board makes the ultimate decision of the settlement.

For further updates including new documented allegations by other employee witnesses of horrific abuse please visit:

http://www.geocities.com/doglucy4justice/index.html

When Writing Please Contact:

JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM
G. Mennen Williams Building, 7th Floor
525 W. Ottawa St.
P.O. Box 30212
Lansing, MI 48909
Voice: (517) 373-1110
Fax: (517) 373-3042
E-mail: [email protected]

Michigan State Veterinarian Board
P.O. Box 30670
Lansing, MI 48909-8170
Voice: (517) 335-0918
Fax: (517) 373-2179

Dept. of Consumer & Industry (License Division)
Ottawa Building
P.O. Box 30670
Lansing, MI 48909-8170
Voice: (517)-373-9196
Fax: (517)-335-4886
Email: [email protected]

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear ( ):

I am confident that the case involving charges of alleged abuse to animals against Steven Ginsberg should be having a conclusion in the very near future and I want to again give my concerns.
I ask that with the epidemic of DVM's across this country facing similar charges it is time changes are made and sanctions taken on behalf of pets and their guardians.

Steven Ginsberg's charges through the state have been combined, but these alone are very serious charges and I feel hold enough evidence that he must be made to understand that these types of actions are not acceptable and will not be tolerated. The following charges against Steven Ginsberg must be taken serious for the protection of innocent pets and their guardians, who pay for such services:

Allegedly allowing unlicensed personnel to treat animals; failing to maintain clinic hygiene, including failing to sterilize dental instruments and syringes after use; using "super glue" during cat declawing procedures; dispensing expired drugs and medication to animals; abusing and neglecting animals; and failing to timely euthanize some animals.

Please understand it is for our companions that we want justice done so there will be no more "LUCYS".

Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your name)

(LANSING) -- The Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS), has taken action today against Kalamazoo veterinarian Steven J. Ginsberg D.V.M.. due to allegations of negligence and substandard care.

The Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine
Disciplinary Subcommittee met in Lansing today and accepted disciplinary action outlined in a proposed Consent Order. The disciplinary action against Dr. Ginsberg includes the following:

� A license suspension for 30 days commencing on Oct. 1, 2001;

� Two (2) years probation;

� Quarterly meetings with a Board of Veterinary Medicine member to review Dr. Ginsberg's professional practice;

� Continuing education addressing issues of patient management;

� Continuing education classes offered at Michigan Veterinarian Association annual meetings;

� Attending all regularly scheduled meetings of the local Veterinarian Association;

� Provide a copy of his annual controlled substance inventory;

� Pay a $2,000 fine to the State of Michigan within 90 days.

An investigation into Dr. Ginsberg's practice found:

1. Unlawful Delegation - Dr. Ginsberg delegated numerous tasks within the scope of the practice of veterinary medicine to unlicensed individuals.

2. Clinic Hygiene - Dr. Ginsberg failed to: wear surgical gloves or masks during surgical procedures; sterilize surgical and dental instruments between procedures; sterilize needles and syringes after injections; and sterilize surgical tables following procedures. He also reused surgical drapes following surgery.

3. Declawing Cats - Dr. Ginsberg used super glue as part of his procedure to declaw cats.

4. Controlled Substance/Drug Storage - Dr. Ginsberg maintained expired drugs and medication, which were dispensed to animals; failed to store drugs securely; and failed to maintain controlled substance records related to the purchase, dispensing, and annual inventory;

5. Timely Euthanization - Dr. Ginsberg delayed in euthanizing animals on a number of occasions.

More information about disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards is available on the CIS website: http://www.cis.state.mi.us/bhser. Consumers can also verify health professionals' licenses by visiting: www.michigan.gov and clicking on the Family, Health & Safety icon.

http://www.commerce.state.mi.us/

State of Michigan
Department of Consumer & Industry Services
525 W. Ottawa, P.O. Box 30004
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-1820
Updated: September 01, 2001
http://www.commerce.state.mi.us/disclaim.htm