Reseda Veterinarian Agrees to Counseling

In a deal that allows him to continue working as a veterinarian, a Reseda man accused of unethical and unsanitary practices agreed Tuesday to undergo psychiatric treatment and promised not to operate his own clinic for five years.

Haroon Mohiuddin, who operated the Animal Medical Hospital in the 7600 block of White Oak Avenue in Reseda, admitted that he signed release forms authorizing the euthanasia of at least 10 cats without their owners’ knowledge, said Gary Hill of the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine.

Mohiuddin admitted that he performed an improper oral surgery on a cat in 1987, but failed to take X-rays of the injury before setting the jaw, Hill said. As a result, the pins used to hold the cat’s jaw in place failed within one week.

Mohiuddin also was placed on five years’ probation and ordered to pay more than $5,800 restitution to the board for its investigation and prosecution of his case.

As part of the agreement that allows Mohiuddin to continue working as a veterinarian, he is required to attend continuing education classes in the care of small animals, Hill said.

“This kind of behavior is totally unacceptable and reflects poorly on the entire veterinary profession,” Hill said in a prepared statement.

Animal owners who took their pets to Mohiuddin filed accusations with the state board on two separate occasions in April, 1992, and May, 1993, said Michelle Mason, an enforcement coordinator.

Mohiuddin, who has been licensed to practice in California since February, 1980, will report to the board quarterly to determine whether he is following the terms of his probation, Mason said.

He closed the Reseda clinic in March before the accusations stemming from the euthanasia of the cats were made, Mason said.