2024 Citations and Disciplinary Actions
Last Updated: 05/13/2024
CITATIONS AND FINES
Licensed Citations
Noe, Laurie (VET 9019)
Pittsburg, CA
On March 21, 2024, a $3,000 modified citation with an order of abatement to enroll in, and successfully
complete, a Board–approved course in record keeping of 8–10 hours in length within 60 days was
issued to Laurie Noe (VET 9019) for the following: failure to adequately treat an infection; prescribed
vitamin K to two patients without medical indications; failure to document patient health, history
information, information from a physical examination, and dosage amount of isoflurane for a patient. (BPC
§§ 4855; & 4883 (g)(3), (i), & (o); & CCR, Title 16, §§ 2032.1 (b)(3);
& 2032.3 (a)(6–8)). Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the doctor’s profile.
Unlicensed Citations
Harris, Monika
On May 1, 2024, a $2,000 citation was issued to Monika Harris for the following: use of the title “RVT”
without a valid registration; use of the title “Licensed Veterinary Nurse” without a valid registration.
(BPC §§ 4825; 4826(g); & 4839.5). Click here to obtain a copy of the action. Click here to obtain a copy of the action.
Brill, Carolyn
Effective March 28, 2024, a $5000 citation was issued to Carolyn Brill for the following: engaging in the
practice of veterinary medicine by advertising through Facebook and text messaging that she can provide
vaccination services for a fee. (BPC § 4826(a)). Click here to obtain a copy of the action.
Popejoy, Stacie
Madera, CA
Waggin’ Tails Grooming
Coarsegold, CA
On March 12, 2024, a $2,000 modified citation with an order of abatement to cease unlawful advertisement
for the following: practicing veterinary medicine without a valid veterinarian license and practicing
veterinarian medicine without a valid premise registration; offering to treat a broken leg on an animal
patient; and advertising on their business Facebook page that they can perform vaccination services. This
citation was satisfied on April 25, 2024. (BPC §§ 4825; 4826(a) & (c)). Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the doctor’s profile.
PETITIONS FOR INTERIM SUSPENSION ORDERS
Dawson, Robert W. (VET 9343)
Playa Del Rey, CA
ATSC Pico, Inc. (HSP 38781)
Los Angeles, CA
Effective January 5, 2024, a petition for an interim suspension order was filed against Robert W. Dawson
(VET 9343) and ATSC Pico, Inc. (HSP 38781) for the failure to keep the premises and equipment in clean and
sanitary conditions. (BPC § 4854; CCR § 2030). Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee's profile.
ACCUSATION FILED
Sigdestad, Leonard (VET 4216)
San Bernardino, CA
On May 1, 2024, a First Amended Accusation was filed against Leonard Sigdestad (VET 4216) for:
negligence – prescribed and dispensed azathioprine at twice the published recommended dose without
sufficient justification for Patient 1, administered a third dose of dexamethasone to Patient 1 which was
unnecessary and potentially an overdose while Patient 1 was already administered prednisone, failed to
document a route of administration for 5 separate injections, administered dexamethasone to Patient 2 in a
parvovirus case for multiple days, prescribed amoxicillin to Patient 3 (a guinea pig) and failed to
document in the medical record that he provided a consultation to the owner regarding amoxicillin,
allowing a person to have direct exposure to primary x-ray beam in his veterinary facility, prescribed an
incorrect dose of prednisolone to Patient 4, failed to document in Patient 4’s medical record that he
provided a consultation to Patient 4’s owner regarding prednisolone, referring Patient 4 to a human
chiropractor for treatment of Intervertebral Disc Disease an failing to document in the medical records
that the chiropractor works under Respondent’s supervision, failed to perform Patient 5’s anal gland
removal surgery in a medically-acceptable manner, altering Patient 5’s medical record by fabricating a new
entry for preoperative bloodwork, failed to conduct a thorough diagnostic evaluation to determine whether
anal gland surgical removal was appropriate, failed to communicate reasonable alternatives to Patient 5’s
owner and document the communication, failed to adequately treat Patients 6’s fractured tooth and
inappropriately administered penicillin, failure to document treatment of Patient 6, failed to complete
Patient 7’s spay procedure in a competent and humane matter which resulted in suffering during her final
days of life, failed to report to the Board the correct dispensed medication he dispensed for the stray
animal, decision to dispense acepromazine to help catch a stray animal was also a departure from the stand
of care, (BPC §§ 494; 4853.5; & 4883(g), (i), & (o); CCR, Title 16, §§ 2032;
2032.1(b); 2032.3(a)(12); & 2032.35 ). Click here to obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee’s profile.
Schmidt, Stephanie (VET 19905)
Cypress, CA
On April 26, 2024, an Accusation was filed against Stephanie Schmidt (VET 19905) for the following:
Negligence – prescribed, dispensed, or administered drugs, medications, appliances, applications, or
treatment without performing an appropriate and documented examination, and forming a diagnosis of any
condition that required treatment to patients; Unprofessional Conduct – dispensed dangerous drugs to
patients without medical necessity, failing to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR)
before administering, prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing a drug, medicine, application, or treatment,
perform and/or document an examination, form and/or document a diagnosis of any condition that required
treatment, and/or communicate and/or document the appropriate course of treatment with the client,
prescribed a controlled substance without a legitimate veterinary purpose, and altering medical records,
with fraudulent intent, or creating a false medical record, with fraudulent intent; Violation of
Veterinary Medicine Practice Act – initially prescribed, dispensed, or furnished dangerous drugs to
patients and failed to offer to provide, and note in the medical records, the required drug consultation,
and failed to keep written records containing information required. (BPC §§ 4170(a)(2); 4829.5(a) & (d);
4855; & 4883(c), (g)(3), (i), & (o); CCR, Title 16, §§ 2032.1; 2032.3; & 2032.35; HSC § 11153(a)). Click here to obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee’s profile.
Bergstrom, Thomas Christopher (VET 23401)
Woodland, CA
On April 25, 2024, an Accusation was filed against Thomas Christopher Bergstrom (VET 23401) for the
following: Negligence – prescribed, dispensed, or administered drugs, medications, appliances,
applications, or treatment without performing an appropriate and documented examination, and forming a
diagnosis of any condition that required treatment to patients; Unprofessional Conduct – dispensed
dangerous drugs that were unnecessary for the treatment of any condition, prescribed controlled substances
without a legitimate veterinary purpose, failed to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship
(VCPR) before administering, prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing a drug, medicine, application, or
treat, altered or modified medical records with fraudulent intent, or created false medical records with
fraudulent intent; Violation of Veterinary Medicine Practice Act – initially prescribed, dispensed, or
furnished dangerous drugs to patients and failed to offer to provide, and note in the medical records, the
required drug consultation, and failed to keep written records for patients receiving veterinary services.
(BPC §§ 4170(a)(2); 4829.5(a) & (d); 4855; & 4883(c), (g), (i), & (o); CCR, Title 16, §§ 2032.1; 2032.3; &
2032.35; HSC § 11153(a)). Click here to obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee’s profile.
Adam, John (VET 17609)
Imperial Highway Animal Clinic (HSP 3737)
Yorba Linda, CA
On March 29, 2024, an Accusation was filed against John Adam (VET 17609) and Imperial Highway Animal
Clinic (HSP 3737) for the following: negligence – failure to evaluate Patient’s test results prior to
anesthetizing, take appropriate radiographs for Patient, provide proper assessment of radiograph findings,
recommend appropriate testing for Patient prior to anesthesia, incorrectly classified Patient as a Class 1
or “minimal risk” for anesthesia, failure to complete a physical examination of a Patient within 12 hours
prior to sedation, appropriately monitor a Patient, and provide pain medication to Patient prior to
initiating anesthesia to minimize pain and stress; supervising veterinarian duties – allowed their
veterinary assistant to make a diagnosis of Patient’s blood test results; unprofessional conduct – altered
and/or modified the medical records of three Patients; minimum standards – failed to offer consultation to
Patients owner regarding the tramadol and clindamycin prescription, to document required drug
consultation, failed to post all licenses, and Title 17 documents or notice in the radiology area was not
conspicuously displayed; maintain sanitary conditions – failed to ensure the premises were clean and
sanitary, to ensure the service maintenance of anesthetic equipment, and to ensure the equipment and
instruments were maintained in a sterile condition; record keeping – violated 20 different instances of
record keeping requirements. (BPC §§ 4829.5(a) & (d); 4850; 4855; 4854; & 4883(c), (g),
(i), & (o); CCR, Title 16, §§ 2030 (f)(4),(8), & (10), & (g)(8)(b); 2032.05;
2032.35; & 2035(b); & Title 17, § 30255(a)(b)(1–6)). Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee’s profile.
Shahbazi, Mehrdad (VET 22590)
Fresno, CA
On March 28, 2024, an Accusation was filed against Mehrdad Shahbazi (VET 22590) for the following:
negligence – failure to perform or recommend left–lateral radiographs to confirm definitive
diagnosis, recommend a re–check exam and follow up radiographs, confirm Patient medical history and
perform a physical exam to confirm a definitive diagnosis, failure to perform a complete ocular
examination which resulted in inappropriate treatment, and to perform or recommend diagnostics for a
Patient; incompetence – demonstrating a lack of knowledge in treating chronic kidney disease by
recommending sub–therapeutic dosages and frequency of administration of subcutaneous fluids for a
Patient; unprofessional conduct – submitted and/or fabricated a new medical record for 3 different
Patients and did not establish a veterinarian–client–patient relationship; recordkeeping –
violated 15 different instances of record keeping requirements. (BPC §§ 4856(a); & 4883(g),
(i), & (o); CCR, Title 16, §§ 2032.1; 2032.3(a)(7), (8), (10), (11), & (13), &
(c)(6); & 2032.35;). Click here to obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee’s profile.
Magrini, Ronald Joseph (RVT 7675)
Vista, CA
On March 28, 2024, an Accusation was filed against Ronald Joseph Magrini (RVT 7675) for the following:
unprofessional conduct – prescribed and dispensed dangerous drugs to patients that were unnecessary for
treatment of any condition, and selling, delivering, holding, or offering for sale drugs that are
misbranded, failed to obtain and maintain a premises registration for his veterinary practice; and
recordkeeping violations. (BPC §§ 4169(a)(3); 4170(a)(2); 4853; 4853.1; 4855; & 4883(b),
(g)(3) & (o); CCR, Title 16, § 2032.3(a) & (b); HSC §§ 111440; & 111450). Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee’s profile.
Porubovich, Lindsey Leonore (RVT 21113)
Bonsall, CA
On March 11, 2024, an Accusation was filed against Lindsey Leonore Porubovich (RVT 21113) for the
following: unprofessional conduct – falsified mortality insurance documents, dispensed dangerous drugs to
patients that were unnecessary for treatment of any condition, and selling, delivering, holding, or
offering for sale drugs that are misbranded. (BPC §§ 4169(a)(3); 4170(a)(2); & 4883(g)(3)
& (i); HSC §§ 111440; & 111450). Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee’s profile.
Waggoner, Lisa (RVT 5824)
Chico, CA
On February 26, 2024, an Accusation was filed against Lisa Waggoner (RVT 5824) for the following: criminal
conviction – convicted of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions, and duties of
veterinary medicine; habitual use of a controlled substance; possession of controlled substances –
unlawfully possessed the controlled substances methamphetamine, naloxone, oxycodone, and suboxone;
fraudulent license renewals – submitted for license renewal application and stated on all three that she
had not been convicted of a crime when she had been convicted of a crime; unauthorized practice of
veterinary medicine – engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine including induced anesthesia without
a veterinarian present, examined patients, prescribed medications, and performed surgeries without a
veterinarian license on multiple occasions. (BPC §§ 490; 4060; 4837(c); 4840(b); 4840.2(a), (b),
& (c); & 4883(a), (c), (g)(3), (k), & (o); CCR, Title 16, § 2036(a)(1–3), &
(b)(1). Click
here to obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee’s profile.
Rathe, Monica (RVT 10298)
Colchester, VT
On February 20, 2024, an Accusation was filed against Monica Rathe (RVT 10298) for the following: two
separate criminal convictions for DUI on – April 7, 2019 and June 5, 2022; receiving a DUI within 10 years
of conviction; unprofessional conduct – used alcoholic beverages to the extent or in manner to be
dangerous or injurious to herself or others (BPC §§ 490; & 4883(a) & (g)(2)(B); CCR,
Title 16, § 2040). Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee’s profile.
Dawson, Robert W. (VET 9343)
Playa Del Rey, CA
ATSC Pico, Inc. (HSP 38781)
Los Angeles, CA
On February 13, 2024, an Accusation was filed against Robert W. Dawson (VET 9343) and ATSC Pico, Inc. (HSP
38781) for the following: violation statutes applicable to veterinary medicine – failed to provide proof
that they provided x–ray safety training to all staff members, display the premises and
veterinarians’ license or permit, and failed to maintain their premise and all instruments, apparatus, and
apparel used in connection with their practice of veterinary medicine in a clean and sanitary manner that
conforms to the minimum standards established by the Board; violation regulations applicable to veterinary
medicine – failed to provide an after–hours referral for veterinary care, notice that there is no
staff on premises overnight, maintain their facility in a sanitary and clean manner, maintained their
facility with poor ventilation and strong, foul odor of urine and feces, poor and inadequate lighting in
contagious facilities room, to adequately store food and beverages, Respondents’ x–ray room did not
comply with minimum requirements for such facilities, failed to record client information on x–rays,
to provide the Board’s inspector with proof that it legally disposed of pharmaceuticals, sharps, or
hazardous waste, stored a deceased animal in the freezer in a plastic bag resting on top of bags of pet
food, failed to provide all patients with a sufficient compartment and adequate food and water, contagious
facilities room was inadequate and not properly segregated from the rest of the facility, surgery room was
not maintained in a sanitary and clean condition, surgery room floor and shelves were dirty, maintained
endotracheal tubes in an unsanitary manner, failed to properly maintain their anesthetic equipment,
properly sterilize their equipment, improperly stored sanitary attire in the surgery room and the
contagious facilities, Respondent Dawson failed to maintain a sufficient presence at Respondent ATSC
Pico’s facility, verify their access to an electronic (or physical) reference library, maintain adequate
medical records for all of its patients as fully outlined above, utilized unsanitary cloth chairs in the
reception area, failed to maintain an exam room at their facility, and maintained a fire extinguisher that
was not timely serviced; violating statutes or regulations applicable to dangerous drugs or controlled
substances – possessed misbranded drugs, failed to maintain drug logs, not able to produce a current DEA
license to the Board’s inspector, and maintained inadequate drug security control; unsanitary premises
and/or equipment and unprofessional conduct, failure to manage – failed to keep their premises and all
equipment therein in a clean and sanitary condition; negligence – failed to maintain sufficient medical
records for each patient. (BPC §§ 4169 (a)(4); 4840.7; 4850; 4853.5; 4854; & 4883(c), (g),
(h), (i), & (o); CCR, Title 8, §§ 3368(a) & (b); & 6151(c) & (e); Title 16,
§§ 2030(a), (b), (c), (d)(1–3), (e), (f)(1–4) & (6–10), (g)(1–5),
(7), (8)(B), & (11), & (h); 2030.05; 2032.3 (c)(2); & 2032.4 (b)(5); Title 17, § 30255(a)
& (b)(1–6); Title 21, §§ 1301.11; 1301.75; & 1304.22c). Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee’s profile.
Polanksy, Benjamin (VET 21416)
San Antonio, TX
On January 29, 2024, an Accusation was filed against Benjamin Polanksy (VET 21416) for the following:
criminal conviction – possessing matter depicting sexual conduct of a person under 18 years of age (child
pornography); negligence and violation of regulations – failed to insert nasogastric tube himself, or
assign the task to a registered veterinary technician, assigned task to insert nasogastric tube to
unqualified and unlicensed veterinary assistant, made decision to insert nasogastric tube despite the
patient’s breed being high–risk for this procedure, failed to make necessary treatment decisions
including the size of the nasogastric tube to be used, the type of lubricant to be used, the type of local
anesthesia to be used, failed to supervise veterinary assistant, failed to monitor or evaluate patient
after the placement of the tube, failed to request and review x–ray images to verify correct
placement of the tube in the patient’s stomach, failed to remove misplaced nasogastric tube himself,
failed to notice or treat the patient for developing pneumothorax which was evidenced through
x–rays; inadequate medical records – failed to ensure adequate medical records were produced as the
primary veterinarian; fraud/deception – failed to explain the possible risks and complications of
insertion of a nasogastric tube and was deliberately untruthful to patient’s owner regarding the events
that occurred with the patient. (BPC §§ 490; 4855; & 4883(a), (c), (i), & (o); CCR,
Title 16, §§ 2032.3; 2035; 2036; & 2036.5). Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee’s profile.
INTERIM SUSPENSION ORDER
Sigdestad, Leonard (VET 4216)
San Bernardino, CA
Effective April 19, 2024, the license of Leonard Sigdestad (VET 4216) was suspended. Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee’s profile.
Dawson, Robert W. (VET 9343)
Playa Del Rey, CA
ATSC Pico, Inc. (HSP 38781)
Los Angeles, CA
Effective February 2, 2024, the license of Robert W. Dawson (VET 9343) and ATSC Pico, Inc. (HSP 38781)
were suspended. Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee's profile.
LETTER OF PUBLIC REPROVAL
Kotlarenko, Marina (VET 11011)
Los Angeles, CA
Effective January 11, 2024, the license of Marina Kotlarenko (VET 11011) was issued a Public Reproval.
Respondent was ordered to pay cost recovery in the amount of $7,188 and a fine in the amount of $5,000. Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the doctor's profile.
PROBATION
Singh, Baltej (VET 20170)
Lathrop, CA
Effective April 5, 2024, the license of Baltej Singh (VET 20170) was placed on probation for five (5)
years. Respondent is prohibited from supervising students, interns, or residents. Click
here to obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee's profile.
Constantino Gomez, Miguel Angel (VET 21227)
Lakeside, CA
Effective April 4, 2024, the license of Miguel Angel Constantino Gomez (VET 21227) was placed on probation
for three (3) years. Respondent is prohibited from supervising students, interns, or residents. Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee's profile.
Lee, Perng (VET 7870)
Walker Street Dog & Cat Hospital (HSP 1612)
La Palma, CA
Effective February 29, 2024, the license of Perng Lee (VET 7870) and Walker Street Dog & Cat Hospital
(HSP 1612) was placed on probation for three (3) years. Respondent is prohibited from supervising
students, interns, or residents; prohibited from practicing veterinary medicine from a location or mobile
veterinary premise that does not have a current premises registration issued by the board; except for
Walker Street Dog & Cat Hospital, Respondent shall not have any new legal or beneficial interest in
any veterinary business, firm, partnership, or corporation for the duration of Respondent’s probation; and
shall not manage or function as the responsible licensee manager for any veterinary hospital for the
duration of Respondent’s probation. Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee's profile.
Ibrahim, Ayman S. (VET 17207)
Mission Animal Hospital, Inc. (HSP 6762)
Palmdale, CA
Effective February 29, 2024, the license of Ayman S. Ibrahim (VET 17207) and Mission Animal Hospital, Inc.
(HSP 6762) was placed on probation for three (3) years. Beginning the effective date of this decision
Respondent is suspended from practice of veterinary medicine for ninety (90) days; Respondent shall not
enter any veterinary hospital which is registered by the Board; shall not manage, administer or be a
consultant to any veterinary hospital or veterinarian during the period of actual suspension and shall not
engage in any veterinary–related service or activity; Respondent is prohibited from supervising
students, interns, or residents; prohibited from practicing veterinary medicine from a location or mobile
veterinary premise that does not have a current premises registration issued by the board; shall not
practice veterinary medicine until a supervisor is approved by the Board or its designee; except for
Mission Animal Hospital, Inc., Respondent shall not have any new legal or beneficial interest in any
veterinary business, firm, partnership, or corporation for the duration of Respondent’s probation; and
shall not manage or function as the responsible licensee manager for any veterinary hospital for the
duration of Respondent’s probation. Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee's profile.
Mumah, Emmanuel Tamajong (VET 17511)
Tama Veterinary Hospital (HSP 7185)
Abel Veterinary Hospital Inc. (HSP 38969)
Milpitas, CA
Effective January 8, 2024, the license of Emmanuel Tamajong Mumah (VET 17511), Tama Veterinary Hospital
(HSP 7185) and Abel Veterinary Hospital Inc. (HSP 38969) was placed on probation for three (3) years.
Respondent is prohibited from supervising students, interns, or residents. Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee’s profile.
Weber, Paul (VET 18462)
Fallbrook, CA
Effective January 8, 2024, the license of Paul Weber (VET 18462) was placed on probation for five (5)
years. Respondent is prohibited from supervising students, interns, or residents. Respondent is prohibited
from having any new legal or beneficial interest in any veterinary business, firm, partnership, or
corporation for the duration of Respondent’s probation; and is prohibited from managing or functioning as
the responsible licensee manager for any veterinary hospital for the duration of Respondent’s probation.
Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee’s profile.
REVOCATION
Deol, Gurdeep S. (VET 13086)
Palm Desert, CA
Effective March 6, 2024, the license of Gurdeep S. Deol, (VET 13086) was revoked. Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the doctor's profile.
Cline, Kerry (VACS 15921)
Montgomery, TX
Effective January 4, 2024, a Default Decision and Order was issued and the license of Kerry Cline, (VACS
15921) was revoked. Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the doctor's profile.
SURRENDER
Buntrock, Larry Richard (VET 5614)
Citrus Heights, CA
Effective April 5, 2024, the license of Larry Richard Buntrock, DVM (VET: 5614) was surrendered. Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the licensee's profile.
Roggero, Matthew Thomas (RVT 13490)
Costa Mesa, CA
Effective March 28, 2024, the licenses of Matthew Thomas Roggero, (RVT 13490) was surrendered. Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the RVT's profile.
Dover, Samuel R. (VET 13929)
Santa Barbara, CA
Effective January 25, 2024, a Decision After Reconsideration and Order was issued and the license of
Samuel R. Dover, (VET 13929) was surrendered. Click here to
obtain a copy of the action or view the doctor's profile.