A veterinarian, as most of us know, is a licensed professional who treats domestic animal injuries or diseases. The key here is the word licensed to distinguish between a lay person or unlicensed veterinarian. (Corpus Juris 1929)
Veterinarians treat animals which are personal property of their owners. The owner has sole authority for treatment or destruction of their property. We must keep in mind though that should an animal disease endanger the health and welfare to the public the owner’s decision regarding their property are void. Veterinarians are then tasked with certain emergency acts such as depopulation, vaccination, or quarantine of animals.
Owners of animals, or their designated agents, may perform and treat animals normally considered under the practice of veterinary medicine without guilt or penalty in most states. The exception to this is when a disease may pose a threat to human health, an owner is then compelled to use a veterinarian for treatment or depopulation. Laws and regulations pertaining to health and welfare of the public as referenced in Corpus Juris 195, Hannah 1990, and lastly in 1993.
State Legislatures are empowered by law to make and enforce laws governing veterinary medicine. A tax is levied when a veterinarian takes his or her examination and is granted a license. The licensing program also is used as a means of registration all veterinarians and for keeping all information of their practice in one place.
In summary, a veterinarian practices the art Veterinary science. With the exception of an emergency animal disease outbreak, an owner has absolute right in property to determine what treatment or disposal of his or her own animals.
From the trenches,
Celeste