2024 Citations and Disciplinary Actions

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

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. (BPC §§ 4825; 4826(a) & (c)). Click here to obtain a copy of the action or view the doctor’s profile.

Downhill, Jody Ellen (VET 13867)
Fallbrook Veterinary Clinic (HSP 1720)
Woodland Hills, CA
Effective March 22, 2024, a petition for an interim suspension order was filed against Jody Ellen Downhill (VET 13867) and Fallbrook Veterinary Clinic (HSP 1720) for the failure to keep the premises and equipment in clean and sanitary conditions. (BPC §§ 494; 4169(a)(4); 4170; 4342; 4850; 4852; 4853.5; 4854; & 4840.7; CCR, Title 8, §§ 3368(a) & (b); & 6151(c) & (e); Title 16, §§ 2030(b), (c), (f)(1-8), (10), & (12), (d)(2), & (g)(1-7), (8b), & (9-10); & 2030.1(b); Title 17, § 30255(a) & (b)(1-6); Title 21, §§ 1301.75 & 1304.22(c); & HSC § 11165). Click here to obtain a copy of the action or view the doctor’s profile.

Sigdestad, Leonard (VET 4216)
San Bernardino, CA
Effective March 19, 2024, a petition for an interim suspension order 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.