Marineland: College investigating Marineland veterinarians
The Ontario College of Veterinarians is investigating vets who practise at Marineland, but wonât reveal the scope or purpose of the probe, nor the number of vets involved.
The Ontario College of Veterinarians is investigating vets who practise at Marineland, but wonât reveal the scope or purpose of the probe, nor the number of vets involved.
There is no indication that the Collegeâs investigation is related to a series of Star stories in which former Marineland trainers criticized the quality of animal care at the Niagara Falls tourist attraction.
In a statement to the Star, Marineland lawyer Andrew Burns emphasized the College is not investigating the veterinary care of animals or the park itself.
Jan Robinson, registrar and CEO of the College, said she canât talk about what is â or isnât â being investigated.
âIt is a look at anything related to the practice of veterinary medicine relating to the issue weâre looking at,â she said, adding the probe began in late April and is in the âfinal stages.â
Robinson said the results of the investigation would be sent to the Collegeâs executive committee. It has options that include a decision to close the file with âno further concernsâ or take such action as a âletter of advice.â In these cases, nothing is released to the public.
Or it could decide the matter is more serious and send it to a disciplinary panel that could invoke more serious penalties, including suspension or the loss of a vetâs licence. Disciplinary hearings are public.
There are, said Robinson, âalways two sides of a story and the college has to investigate both sides of the story.â
She said its role is to be âfair and appropriate (because) it is related to the public interest.â
None of the vets who work at Marineland responded to the Starâs questions about the Collegeâs investigation.
The Star began a series of stories on Marineland last August in which former trainers blamed poor water and lack of sufficient staff for animal health issues, including death. Eventually 15 whistleblowers spoke to the Star.
Marineland has always maintained there are no such problems at the marine mammal and land animal facility, privately owned by John Holer.
Robinson said this case falls under the category of âregistrarâs investigationâ â unlike a formal written complaint to the college. In this type of case, the registrar is âmade aware of information that is brought to (her attention)â and decides there are âreasonable and probable groundsâ for an investigation.
On another matter, she said her organization continues to work to have zoos and aquariums in Ontario accredited by the college. By law, Ontario vets must work in or form a facility that holds a College certificate of accreditation â with the exception of privately owned facilities. (Individual vets are still accredited by the College.)