A recent investigation by the Arizona Republic found veterinarians operating at the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control were exempt from oversight by the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board which is responsible for regulating the state’s 2,086 licensed veterinarians.

A complaint was filed last year with the state board accusing the county’s chief veterinarian and her staff of negligence according to the Arizona Republic.  In addition, a growing number of complaints by animal-rescue volunteers and private veterinarians has caused the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to create a new task force to improve medical care at their facilities.

Under state law, private and public shelters are exempt from oversight by the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board.

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control performs more than 18,500 surgeries per year and is the second largest animal shelter in the country.

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