Vet reprimanded for taking cat home without owner's permission instead of putting it down

7 October 2024, 19:53

Dr Janine Parody and her dog
Dr Janine Parody and her dog. Picture: Facebook

By Henry Moore

A vet who took home a cat she was ordered to euthanise has been found guilty of disgraceful conduct.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Dr Janine Parody, who had already put three animals down that morning, told a hearing she could 'not face another euthanasia' and thought the “happy” cat could be cured.

Without the permission of the cat’s owner, Dr Parady took the cat home for this treatment.

She told a disciplinary hearing the owner did not want the cat, thought it would be dead and would be “none the wiser”.

Dr Parody sedated the eight-month-old cat and castrated it before taking it home, all without the owner's knowledge.

The cat's owner told authorities she “grieved for his little soul.”

The woman, identified as SM, told the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) tribunal she was “elated” to learn her cat survived before being told she owed the vet £480 for its treatment. She paid the fee.

A cat that is wearing a plastic coneshaped collar around its head (This is not the cat involved in the case.)
A cat that is wearing a plastic coneshaped collar around its head (This is not the cat involved in the case.). Picture: Alamy

SM told the hearing she had rescued the cat, named Shadow, but decided it had to be euthanised before it was “very sick” with MRSA and had suffered facial injuries.

Dr Parody was due to put Shadow down at Castle Veterinary Group in Framlingham, Suffolk, on December 20 2021, but took him home to care for him over Christmas.

This only came to light when a colleague asked Dr Parody why there was no record of the procedure.

Dr Parady admitted what she had done and SM returned to collect her cat on December 31.

Sadly, by February the cat was still poorly and was put down.

SM told the hearing that Dr Parody, who was under extreme work pressure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she believed the vet wanted to keep Shadow for herself.

But Dr Parody said: “I had already done back-to-back euthanasias that morning as mentioned and upon seeing a happy young cat, I just could not face another euthanasia.

“I think it is important to say here that even though at that point I had been a vet for over 10 years, euthanasias are never easy and you always ‘take them home’ with you.”

Dr Parody added: “I understand that my decision not to euthanise Shadow and instead to treat him without the consent of Ms SM was wrong.

Closeup of a gold and black cat with yellow eyes lying on a stone floor (file.)
Closeup of a gold and black cat with yellow eyes lying on a stone floor (file.). Picture: Alamy

“It was a decision I made on a very, very busy and stressful day and when I thought the cat had no owner but I fully appreciate that was no excuse.”

She argued she acted “with the welfare of the cat at the centre of my decisions.”

The hearing concluded Dr Parody had acted with the best intentions but “made a series of very poor decisions”.

They added: “Dr Parody made incorrect assumptions about the lack of ownership of Shadow, based on conversations from other members of staff, rather than clinical records.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Due to the conflict between Israel and Iran, there are fears that petrol prices will rise again.

Higher petrol prices could hit in weeks amid soaring global oil prices

Emergency workers walk amid buildings that were damaged after an overnight strike on June 14, 2025 in Ramat Gan, Israel

Three dead and dozens injured after Iran fires retaliatory missiles at Israel

Exclusive
Denis Kopanev, 33, from London, was due to meet his friend Diego in São Paulo on Tuesday but vanished from his Airbnb

‘There’s something very odd about it’: Friends of British tourist missing in Brazil say he was ‘in good spirits’ as they fear he’s been kidnapped

A large police presence met protesters in Portadown town center this evening after a leaflet was shared on social media calling all residents of the Co.Armagh town to march on the homes of so-called Migrant gangs

Petrol bombs thrown at police during fifth night of Northern Ireland disorder

Turin, Italy. 2nd Feb, 2025. The FIFA Club World Cup trophy made by Tiffany on display at half time of the Serie A match at Allianz Stadium, Turin. Picture credit should read: Jonathan Moscrop/Sportimage Credit: Sportimage Ltd/Alamy Live News

2025 Fifa World Club Cup: How to watch as US tournament begins

A poll of 2,000 parents of school-aged children in the UK suggests around one in six (17%) parents rated the toilets at their child’s school as unclean.

'Like a horror movie': One in 10 parents say children avoid school over 'filthy' toilets

On Saturday evening, the annual silent walk will take place in west London to mark eight years since the blaze, followed by the reading of the names of the 72 dead, and speeches by campaigners.

Grenfell community gathers for final anniversary before tower demolition begins

Lord Victor Adebowale, chair of the NHS Confederation, who has slammed racial inequalities in the health service.

‘Black service, not NHS service’: Health leader condemns racial inequalities that failed mother

Kylie Minogue has cancelled a string of upcoming shows.

Kylie Minogue cancels string of upcoming shows as pop icon shares health update

Emma Webber, the mother of Barnaby Webber (left) and Dr Sanjoy Kumar, the father of Grace O'Malley Kumar during a memorial walk to lay flowers in Nottingham, to mark the second anniversary of their murders.

'Cover-ups' and 'mistruths' surrounding care of Nottingham attack killer, Barnaby Webber's mother claims

David Beckham has been awarded a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours.

David Beckham receives knighthood as Strictly hosts and Luke Littler made MBEs in King's Birthday Honours

A protest against proposals for a new Chinese embassy will take place from 2pm at Royal Mint Court, near the capital’s financial district, while pro-Palestinian demonstrators are expected to gather in Parliament Square at the same time.

Demonstrators set to gather for multiple protests against Chinese Embassy and Gaza conflict in London on Saturday

he Prime Minister has said he has “grave concerns” about Iran’s nuclear programme as he backed Israel ’s right to self defence.

Keir Starmer voices 'grave concerns' over Iran’s nuclear programme in call with Donald Trump

Rapper O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, will be represented by a team that includes Gareth Peirce, solicitor for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his fight against US extradition, and Rosalind Comyn.

'We are ready for this fight': Kneecap’s legal team for court battle to include Julian Assange lawyer

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025.

Iranian missiles hospitalise scores of Israelis as Tel Aviv bombarded by waves of retaliatory strikes

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, visit to the University College London Hospital (UCLH).

NHS to slash waiting lists by sending patients straight to GPs for treatment