Roskachestvo outlines claims process after harmful veterinary treatment

Pet owners should document what happened and obtain necessary care at another clinic if veterinary treatment harms their animal, Roskachestvo told RIA Novosti on October 10.

The organisation advised sending a written complaint to the original clinic next. It should describe the circumstances, identify shortcomings in the service and set out the requested remedies. Depending on the case, these may include correction without charge, a price reduction or a refund.

Owners may also seek reimbursement of losses, including subsequent treatment and expert assessment costs. Roskachestvo recommended retaining contracts, receipts, prescriptions, discharge records, examination results, medical opinions, correspondence, photographs and video.

The original clinic should be asked for records of procedures, prescribed medicines and doses, along with test and examination results. These documents can help reconstruct the course of treatment and assess the care provided.

If an animal dies or is injured, a claim for property damage depends on establishing a link between the clinic’s actions and the consequences. Potential claims include the value of an animal that died, treatment, diagnostic and expert costs, and other documented losses. Owners may also request compensation for moral harm.

An independent veterinary assessment is not mandatory before filing a complaint or going to court, Roskachestvo said. However, a specialist’s opinion may help determine whether the veterinarian met mandatory standards and whether treatment caused the animal’s condition to deteriorate.

A court may commission a veterinary examination when necessary. Roskachestvo stressed that judges consider the submitted material as a whole rather than relying exclusively on an opinion obtained by one party.