Ronald Gene Wexler, 68, of Lusby, is scheduled to appear at an Aug. 8 court hearing on 16 criminal counts filed after a year-long investigation of his facility, Orphaned Wildlife Rescue Center Inc.
Acting on a tip, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers, state wildlife veterinarians and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service searched his center last August and found animals that should have been euthanized due to the extent of their injuries, animals on which Wexler had performed surgery and an osprey held in a cage much too small, which led to muscle atrophy.
The search also found a host of drugs, including Oxycodone, Demerol, Pentobarbital and Fentanyl. Wexler did not have any licenses or prescriptions for the drugs, which are defined by the federal government as drugs with a high potential for abuse.
Wexler goes by the nickname “Doc,” and refers to himself as a veterinarian on his web site. He does not have a veterinary license.
This year, charging documents say, he performed surgery on ospreys and a black rat snake and acknowledged operating on other animals, as well. Wexler told officers it was not cost effective to send every animal he admitted to his center to an independent veterinarian.
Each of the 12 drug charges carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison and a fine of $25,000. Each animal cruelty charge carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Practicing veterinary medicine without a license has a maximum penalty of a $5,000 fine.
4 comments:
Did he go to Vet. School? Not saying he is right, just wondering.
I say he should serve every minute of his full sentencing.
Good work DNR Po Po!
Here is something a little off subject, I think that every "state" police agency such as Natural Resources Police, MdTA Police, Capital Police, Md. Transit Authority Police, Md. Transportation Authority Police, University Police, Park Police, State Fire Marshal, etc. should fall under the Maryland State Police. These agencies could run more efficiently under the MSP, but serve in different branches. They could/should also be eligible for lateral transfers or they could be rotated through if that is their desire. There are to many separate police agencies in the State of Maryland which means we as tax payers have to foot the bill to pay high ranking chiefs and directors. Consolidate and save money.
Why charges almost a year later if it was searched last August?
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