In a controversial case, a Polish vet who removed a dog’s kidney to transplant it into a purebred client’s dog was recently acquitted by a higher court, sparking fears about potential animal exploitation.
The Procedure and Investigation
A Polish vet, Jacek S., published an article in 2013 detailing a controversial procedure. He had removed the kidney of a rescue dog he had just adopted from a shelter and transplanted it into a client’s purebred dog. The recipient dog, named Saturn, was later returned to the shelter.
Legal Action and Appeal
Following an investigation, the vet faced charges of cruelty to animals. Initially sentenced to a suspended prison term and banned from practicing his profession, Jacek S. appealed the decision.
Acquittal and Controversy
In a surprising turn of events, the higher court found him not guilty, deeming the procedure “pioneering” and conducted by a qualified professional who maintained medical standards. Critics, however, fear this ruling could encourage unethical animal adoption practices.
