TAMPA, Fla. – On July 22, two dog breeders sued a new veterinarian practicing emergency animal care at Veterinary Emergency Group located at 238 East Bearss Avenue in Tampa.
The dog breeders claim they lost six of eight valuable English bulldog puppies in the hands of Dr. Shelby Baden.
According to VEG’s website, lawsuit co-defendant Dr. Baden, acquired her veterinary license in July 2021 and joined VEG’s Early Entry Track Program. She markets herself as the “Traveling Dogtor.” VEG is also a co-defendant in the suit.
Plaintiffs John Marrera and Janira Perez of Tampa brought “Blanco,” a pregnant pure-bred English bulldog in need of attention to the veterinary group.
The lawsuit states, “Upon arrival and despite the urgency of the circumstances, Baden would not begin her examination until a $2,000.00 fee had been paid, and the Plaintiffs recall Baden acting as though she were ‘doing them a favor.’”
In 30 minutes, Marrera and Perez produced the funds required. Dr. Baden conducted a medical examination and diagnosed Blanca with “dystocia,” which means “difficult pregnancy” due to various possible reasons. The lawsuit states Dr. Baden told the Plaintiffs Blanca would need to deliver her eight puppies via Caesarean Section.
Blanca was allegedly difficult to intubate (insert a tube), but Marrera and Perez accuse Dr. Baden of becoming distracted and wasting time by “simultaneously examining and playing with a possum who had also been brought into VEG that evening.”
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It is believed that surgery took too long and the puppies were over-exposed to anesthesia drugs. The Plaintiffs claim they told Dr. Baden that the delivery of the puppies should only take 30 to 45 minutes, to which Dr. Baden allegedly replied, “I do things differently.”
Marrera and Perez also state in their legal complaint, “It was not until the Plaintiffs brought Baden’s attention to the fact that a puppy’s head was breaching Blanca’s birth canal that Baden turned her full attention to the Plaintiffs and the task at hand.”
The suit additionally states that Dr. Baden removed “too much fat” from Blanca, which disabled her from milking her two surviving puppies.
Counts of Veterinary Malpractice, Negligence, and Breach of Bailment are filed against Dr. Baden, and Vicarious Liability and Breach of Bailment are filed against Veterinary Emergency Group.
Marrera and Perez claim that a loss of $60,000 occurred as each bulldog could sell for $10,000. They also seek damages and other costs and interest.
Lauren Peffer of L. Turner Law in Delray Beach is the Plaintiffs’ attorney.
The Plaintiffs and Defendant Dr. Shelby Baden were attempted to be contacted but there was no response. The uniqueness or rarity of their English bulldogs demanding the highest price for the breed could not be confirmed.
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