Vet vindicated in dog case hearing
Clive Curry, pictured, testified against Stoke-on-Trent city councillor Paul Shotton during his 2007 trial and his successful appeal last December.
The former deputy elected mayor had initially been convicted, along with his wife, Annette, of causing unnecessary suffering to their 16-year-old pet Labrador in 2006.
Magistrates imposed a two-year conditional discharge, banned the pair from keeping animals for two years and ordered them to pay £3,000 costs.
But the Shottons overturned their convictions on appeal at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
Mr Curry, aged 47, who works at The Willow Veterinary Centre, in Endon, was called by the RSPCA as an expert witness.
He testified that the Shottons' dog, Baron, had been brought to his surgery on July 15, 2006, shortly after it was found at their home in Smithpool Road, Fenton. Mr and Mrs Shotton had been on holiday at the time and had left Baron with their son, Gavin.
Mr Curry had stated that the dog was unable to stand up, that it was in a distressed state, soaked in urine and with sores on its body.
He also said he believed the Labrador had kidney disease, arthritis and possible spinal problems, and that it must have been ill for some time before it was discovered.
The dog was put to sleep three days after it was brought to him.
During the appeal hearing, Mr Shotton's defence counsel claimed Mr Curry had deliberately exaggerated his evidence.
The vet was accused of being biased against Mr Shotton because he was a Labour councillor and because his cousin, Terry Curry, was a neighbour of the Shottons and did not get on with them.
The vet denied all of the claims and was backed by the appeal judge, Mark Eades.
Judge Eades had said in his closing remarks: "Mr Curry was accused of bias, vindictiveness and of giving false or warped testimony and professionally improper behaviour. We reject all those attacks."
Despite the judge's conclusion, Mr Shotton made a formal complaint to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in March, alleging that Mr Curry "failed to observe a professional demeanour".
But after carrying out a preliminary investigation, the RCVS has concluded there is no case to answer.
An RCVS spokesman said: "After careful consideration of the information provided, the case examiners decided that there was no indication of serious professional misconduct. Therefore Mr Shotton's complaint has been closed."
Mr Curry said he hoped the ruling would bring the matter to an end.
He said: "I was accused of being paid to give evidence and of being biased against Mr Shotton, who I had never seen before in my life until the trial."
He added: "I stand by everything I said in my evidence and I feel fully vindicated by the RCVS's decision not to uphold the complaint against me."
Mr Shotton was unavailable for comment on the RCVS's ruling yesterday.
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