Florida man, 61, posed as vet, operated on pregnant dog that later died: sheriff

A Florida man allegedly posed as a licensed veterinarian and operated on a pregnant dog that died days later due to complications from the botched surgery, authorities said.

Osvaldo Sanchez, 61, was arrested Friday and charged with animal abuse and practicing veterinary medicine without a license following the death of a six-pound Chihuahua named Sugar, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said.

Sugar was having difficulty delivering her puppies so her owners reached out to Sanchez, a licensed pet groomer who had been previously introduced to the owners as a vet, the office said.

The fake vet came to their home to examine the 6-year-old pooch on May 18 and then took her to his mobile office, a converted ambulance, where he performed a C-section and spay operation on the dog, deputies said.

Sanchez removed a stillborn puppy from Sugar’s womb, then closed her up and charged her family $600 for the procedure.

However, Sugar quickly developed an infection and grew seriously ill. She spent the next week in the care of an actual licensed veterinarian but couldn’t be saved.

The Chihuahua was taken to a 24-hour emergency pet hospital on May 25 for an ultrasound which revealed that her surgical incision was sewn up with thread — not the standard suture material used by vets and doctors — which could have caused her infection, the sheriff’s office said.

Sugar died later that night from “multiple complications from the surgery,” according to the sheriff.

A veterinarian at the emergency pet hospital told detectives that if a qualified and licensed medical professional had performed the C-section, Sugar would likely still be alive.

“Pets’ lives are at risk if unlicensed individuals perform surgery, prescribe medication and claim to provide needed care,” Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said. “Such individuals who believe they can operate outside the law will be arrested and held accountable – our dedicated detectives will see to it.”

The sheriff’s office’s special Animal Cruelty Investigations Alliance investigated Sugar’s death and arrested Sanchez.