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Silver Sands Veterinary Center

Silver Sands Veterinary Center review: Fale Advertising 21

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6:55 pm EST
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We took our pet here. Never will we return. This man falsely advertisied that he is a dental specialist. He advertised in numerous places on the internet. He refused to allow us to visit our pet. Our pet almost died and needed extensive follow up care for months after. We later found out from another vet he is not a dental specialist! This is a list of all dental specialists in the world http://www.avdc-dms.org/dms/diplomates.cfm Donald DeForge is not on this list because he has never been granted vet dental specialist status. This false advertisement is against CT law. If you had a bad experience list we did, report him here http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3120&q=387678&dphNav_GID=1821&dphPNavCtr=|#47136
BEWARE!

21 comments
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Smokeysmom
Greenbelt, US
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Dec 02, 2009 9:21 pm EST

What a terrible experience. This should never happen to any of our pets. I hope your cat recovers as much as possible and you find some peace and comfort in knowing that you are not alone in your awareness that the quality of care in veterinary medicine can be a serious issue.

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Donald H. DeForge, VMD
Milford, US
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Feb 19, 2010 5:20 pm EST

Dear Friends,
The individual who has written the above complaint is writing falsehoods [slander]
on the Internet about myself, Dr. Don DeForge, and the Silver Sands Veterinary Center.
The malicious lies are on many review sites--- they are always the same but always written under a different screen name. The sickness of Web Terror is being studied by others. This site is being monitored. As stated, the person practicing this Web Terror rewrites the same distortions over and over and over again.
Legal action is being pursued [the individual has used many different screen names: Truth Warrior/Pet Guardian and many many others] If you read the reviews they are always the same sick-copy.
I am a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry; I am a primary and urgent care doctor and the Director of Silver Sands Veterinary Center in Milford, CT. I have practed in Milford, CT as owner and Director of my veterinary Center for 38 years.
We cannot stop Web Terror inclusions but we can legally prosecute for slander and have individuals who spend their idle time persecuting quality doctors penalized to the maximum extent of the law. Web Terror is illegal. This person is not going to go away until there is disclosure and full prosecution. Until then, I ask you to become familiar with our Center in Milford, Connecticut.
The Silver Sands Veternary Center has been founded on quality up to date medicine and surgery in an environment of compassion. Quality of life, pain control, and referral to specialists are the hallmarks of Silver Sands Veterinary Center. Call me at any time at my center, Dr. Don DeForge-Director [protected]. I am never too busy and would love to speak to you. Thank you! Dr. Don DeForge 19February2010

AnthonyDiSilva
AnthonyDiSilva
New York, US
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Feb 28, 2010 3:14 pm EST

It is not slander or liable if it is TRUE and it is TRUE that Silver Sands is NOT an urgenct care center and this individual is not a dental specialist!

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nkramer
Greenbelt, US
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Mar 01, 2010 12:00 am EST
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Dr. DeForge,

Being a fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry and being a dental specialist are two different things. The Academy of Veterinary Dentistry does not award credentials or certify specialty status. The designation as a specialist in veterinary dentistry is limited to diplomates of the American Veterinary Dental College, which you are not because listings of all such diplomates can be found on the College's web site. Therefore, statements to the effect that you are not a specialist in veterinary dentistry are accurate. Truthful and accurate statements cannot be libelous, defamatory or slanderous, even if they are unflattering to you. The First Ammendment protects our right to make truthful statements, to truthfully recount our experiences (that includes negative experiences with veterinarians and their businesses), and to state our opinions of professionals we come in contact with and their products and services. Sharing our opinions and relating our experiences are legitimate activities, not web terrorism. You may want to get used to not only people having right to tell the truth but also choosing to exercise that right.

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Dr. Don DeForge
Milford, US
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Mar 01, 2010 9:38 am EST

Special Comments from Dr. DeForge, Director Silver Sands Veterinary Center
01March2010-Attention NKramer-Anthony DiSilva
I would like to post from the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry what it means to be a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry:
"A Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry is a veterinarian who has been certified by the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry as having demonstrated a special interest in veterinary dentistry as a result of completing the Academy training requirements and having successfully passed the Academy examination. Since 1987 over 80 veterinarians on four continents have become Fellows of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry including four Equine Fellows of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry."
Being a Fellow means that an indivdiual has taken a very extraordinary journey to help companions with oral problems return to a quality of life and a pain free existence.
I am, also, editor of An Atlas of Veterinary Dental Radiology, Second Edition. Not many veterinary dentists have published a medical textbook and there are only three veterinary radiology textbooks in existence in the United States.
N Kramer and Anthony DiSilva are again "shadow names" for the same person who spends hours practicing WEB TERROR. Truth is good. Lies in print are slander. This site is being continually monitored and the person practicing Web Terror is being scrutinized.
You cannot change a lie and call it the truth. You cannot make up statements and state in writing that they were said by someone else. Your time is short. Your identity is not transparent.
I want to thank all of the people who have visited Silver Sands Veterinary Center and continue to send me letters and phone messages in support of all of the work that we accomplish at our Center. I cannot control the mental instability of a Web Terror personage but I can, in a spirit of compassion, continue to work toward improving companion animal care in ALL areas of veterinary medicine and surgery including urgent care and oral care.
Winter is coming to a conclusion. I look forward to spring and putting snow and bad weather behind all of us. I hope that this year, as we recover from a terrible recession, will be your best in your family life and in all the experiences you share with your companion.
Dr. Don DeForge
Medical Director
Silver Sands Veterinary Center
17 Seemans Lane
Milford, CT 06460
[protected]
We welcome phone calls and helping in any way that we can!

AnthonyDiSilva
AnthonyDiSilva
New York, US
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Mar 01, 2010 10:38 am EST

A special INTEREST in dentistry is NOT a DENTAL SPECIALIST! This is a FACT and is the TRUTH. Talk about twisting facts! Anyone who wants to check this should contact the AVDC here http://www.avdc.org/?q=contact.
Also visit the AVD website which states that if a person is not a Diplomate they should NOT call themselves a SPECIALIST. http://www.avdonline.org/
"In North America, designation as a specialist in veterinary dentistry is limited to Diplomates of the American Veterinary Dental College, who have completed a training program and passed a certification examination that inculdes a practical examination." Deforge is NOT a specialist. This site exists for consumers to rate and comment their experience of a business. What is posted is fact.

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nkramer
Greenbelt, US
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Mar 01, 2010 1:35 pm EST
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Dr. DeForge, your counter web terrorism skills leave a lot to be desired! In fact, your Google skills aren't even good, so far as I can tell. Your assumption that I am Anthony DiSilva smacks of paranoia! I am a female pet owner in Maryland, who happens to be familiar with the designation of veterinary dental specialist. No one is disputing the fact that you are a fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry. Using flowery language to explain what it means to be a fellow of this academy does not address the real issue: being a fellow of the academy does not make you a specialist in veterinary dentistry. The academy has a statement on its web site, which explains that it does not confer a specialty status. The only organization that does confer a specialty status in veterinary dentistry is the American Veterinary Dental College, which bestows this status on its diplomates. You are not a diplomate of this college because your name is not on their list of diplomates. You may not, therefore, refer to yourself as a dental specialist, according to the rules of the college. Doing so is misleading and confusing to the pet owning public. Doing so is also against a number of rules and regulations. Writing textbooks on veterinary dentistry, as far as I know, does not make you a dental specialist either. The American Veterinary Dental College, the sole entity that allows veterinarians to become certified as dental specialists, has not issued any rulings stating that an authorship of a textbook can be used as a substitute for obtaining the training necessary for a designation as a dental specialist. So, yes, thruth is good, as you say. So, when you say that you are a fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry, it is true. When you say that you are a dental specialist, it is not true. When someone says you are not a dental specialist, it is true, and not web terrorism. It's almost funny that these things have to be explained to a person with an advanced degree.

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Donald H. DeForge, VMD-Director
Milford, US
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Mar 02, 2010 8:49 am EST

Web Terrorism is defined as using the cyber-networks, social networks, review networks, etc. to slander an individual. A "multi-gendered solo Web Terrorist" has taken into their hands the personal destruction of the reputation of a doctor who has been a contributor to companion animal medicine and surgery for 38 years. If NKramer and Anthony DiSilva would like to post their name, address, phone number, and E-Mail as I do, I would love to speak to both of these individuals. If you choose not, you also are part of this propagation of lies that is distorting excellent review forums. If you know me, reveal yourselves. I think it highly unlikely you will reveal yourself because Web Terror hides in the shadows of hate, fear, and ugliness. The power of the Web Terrorist comes from hate. It has to be a very lonely, sad, and "mentally threatening" existance.
The flowery language you describe are the exact words and description of a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry written by the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry. I have never ever labeled myself Diplomate of the AVDC. That is a different group of indivdiuals who also care very much about improving oral care in all animals throughout the United States. The psychological profile of the Web Terrorist is complex. They can breed followers. These copy-cat personages find a line or a comment and then feed on it. They can taste the evil and revel in being part of it. It is all slander. All individuals who contriuble to this slander are being monitored on all sites. All when found will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. What the Web Terrorist cannot stand is the truth. They cannot live in truth because it limits their ability to practice Web Terrorism. I have always lived in the truth and have always believed in the Oath that I swore to 38 years ago. It is time to stop sitting in front of a computer and causing pain to innocent people of all professions. Why not visit your local soup kitchen, become involved in social action in your church or house of worship, send funds to help childhood cancer, or cancer research.
Find help for youself and then you will be able to help others. Read the Veterinarians Oath...understand its implications...I have brought many individuals to veterinary school, through the years, by explaining the importance of this Oath and defining what the word COMPASSION truly means. The Web Terrorist does not know the word COMPASSION. That is the saddest part of their existence.

Veterinarians Oath
Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.

I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.

I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.
Donald H. DeForge, VMD
Medical Director
Silver Sands Veterinary Center
17 Seemans Lane
Milford, CT. 06460
[protected]

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nurivamp
Miami, US
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Apr 09, 2010 9:54 am EDT

I hope you have your license taken away. I've heard what you have done to some of these animals, and you need to get the same treatment you gave them. Seriously, you are disturbed.

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heisacrazydr.
Stratford, US
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May 10, 2010 10:37 am EDT

I also had a horrible experience with Dr. DeForge.

My cat had a urinary tract infection, he did not want to treat her with an antibiotic until he got the culture back. He had me treat her with anti-anxiety meds, an anti-seizure med. and steroids for 1 week.

When the culture came back, it was postive for bacteria and he still did not want to give her and antibiotic. He said she had a stress induced uninary problem and these meds would make her feel better. She was still the same a whole week later.

I only brought her to this Dr. because he was open on a Sat. and my regular vet was closed.

I decided to take her to my regular vet and he took her off of all of those meds. and gave her an antibiotic shot, which actually started to work in about 4 hours.

So, she suffered for a week with this painfull condition all do to Dr. Donald DeForge!

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DrDeForgetruth
Milford, US
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May 12, 2010 1:12 pm EDT

It is important to answer posts on review sites when they are not accurate or are incomplete. The urinary tract patient mentioned above does not have a bacterial cystitis but is affected by Interstitial or Idiopathic Cystitis. Interstitial and/or Idiopathic Cystitis have been identified by Dr. Tony Buffington a specialist at Ohio State University. You can Google Dr. Buffington at Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and read about this syndrome in cats. The owner of the above cat was very concerned when her own veterinarian would not see her. Silver Sands Urgent care is for patients who are in pain or are suffering from non-life threatening emergency problems. I responded and had the above owner bring her cat in immediately. With informed consent, a complete lower urinary tract work-up was completed. The patient was placed on antibiotics pending the urine culture. The organism found on the urine culture was verifed by an Internal Medicine specialist as "not related" to urinary tract pathology. The Internal Medicine Specialist stated that antibiotics were not needed and that this patient was a classic Idiopathic Cystitis patient. Cats with Interstitial cystitis need to have pain medicine and stress factors in the home must be eliminated. Some patients benefit from medicines to control stress. Others do well with removal of the stress itself.
The individual above stated she did not want to return to her RDVM but wanted to continue with me as primary care doctor at Silver Sands Veterinary Center. Later she asked for records for her RDVM and said she wanted her RDVM to treat her cat. All records were supplied with testing reports to her RDVM. An antibiotic injection will not treat Interstitial Cystitis. I never ask for a thank you after being the doctor AVAILABLE to remove pain and discomfort. It is not easy to read such an ungrateful comment as stated above. The patient did not suffer for a week. Her cat was on analgesics and anti-anxiety medicines from the first examination. We were in daily communication with the client to be sure her cat was comfortable. Antibiotics were utilized until the culture of the urine returned. A paper explainining the complexity of Interstitial Cystitis was given to client on initial presentation. All was accomplished with exactitude and in excellent Urgent Care manner. I respect pain. As an interfaith chaplain, I saw much of pain in young children. I have carried that concern to my veterinary practice and will continue to help those in need. I cannot comment anymore on this case. I will not accept that I allowed this cat to be in pain. I was there when the RDVM was not available. I removed pain and completed the necessary testing to establish a correct diagnosis. Many veterinarians are not familiar with Interstitial Cystitis. Please read Dr. Buffington's papers from Ohio State and you too will understand this path0logy if it affects your cat.
Dr. Don DeForge, Medical Director Silver Sands Veterinary Center 12May2010

AnthonyDiSilva
AnthonyDiSilva
New York, US
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May 16, 2010 6:33 pm EDT

We do not believe anything Deforge posts here or anywhere. Our experience was so negative that nothing he could say would be believeable. And...now we see he is making public comments about a confidential animal case in his clinic. Is this who you want for your vet...someone who does not keep your confidentiality but discusses your pet's case on the internet?! It also seems this vet has decided to practice psychology without a license by "psychologically profiling" HIS OWN (former I am sure) customers! WOW!

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Dr. Don DeForge
Milford, US
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May 22, 2010 11:40 am EDT

Dr. Don DeForge-Medical Director Silver Sands Veterinary Center-17 Seemans Lane Milford, CT 06460
No client's medical records can be discussed on the Internet...
The questions posed by the blogger have been addresed because they were falsehoods...
The truth has been written in the earlier response...
You do not need to be a psychologist to smell the odor of Web Terror ant its fumes of fear and hate...
I am a general practitioner, an urgent care doctor, a veterinary dentist, and a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry...
Silver Sands Veterinary Center is about removing pain, quality of life, and compassion...
Thanks for realizing how much I care about my patients! 22May2010

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skittles1108
US
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Aug 02, 2010 7:30 pm EDT

I have been taking my pet cat to Dr. Donald Deforge for many years . She is a very healthy cat and just had extensive surgery and she is recovering quickly and nicely ! So stop making these comments about Dr. Deforge ! If you dont like the way he treats your pet then dont bring your pet to him ! But dont sit on the internet all day like immature little kids and complain about what a HORRIBLE doctor he is . Simply take your pet to another vet center and be quiet please and thank you !

Thank you Dr. Deforge for all you have done for my pet .

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motheringnature
US
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Dec 01, 2010 4:13 pm EST

I had a similar bad experience Sept 2008. My initial interest in Dr. DeForge was his specialist with dental issues. My dog was born with a hairlip and cleft palette which caused some problems with the position of his front teeth. After 2 years of trying to get an appt. with Dr. DeForge himself, having asked specifically for him when the appt was made, I ended up speaking to another Dr. on his staff - while Dr. DeForge was in the back and refused to come out. 'Comments' were passed after he had the other Dr. bring my dog back to him. During the two visits with this other Doctor, he noted that my dog might have neurological issues and we discussed having him seen by a neurological specialist and I was cautioned that any anesthesia may cause irreversible problems. Fastforward 2 years and I finally get an appt for updated shots and a heartworm blood test. He entered the exam room agitated and aggressive. After examining him and for the first time seeing the issues that he was born with, Dr. DeForge proceeded to point out my dogs issues one by one, called him 'a mess' and told me that I didn't care about him. When I pointed out that I'd been there before, gotten advice from the other Dr. and in fact, even he had seen the dog in the back room, adding that I didn't appreciate being treated this way, he told me to get out and told his front desk to close out my file. Then, even as I was paying, he came up to the front desk, continued to berate me and refused to give me a prescription for the heart worm medication - one of the main reasons for my visit. Upon calling for the blood test results and asking if I could come in and purchase heartworm medication, his receptionist gave Dr. DeForge the phone and I was told that if I showed up, he'd call the police - then he hung up on me. I ended up going to another Dr. to get the heartworm medication, who himself shared a few horror stories with me about Dr. DeForge and stories from other patients that had left him because of similar problems.

Evidence is clear that he not only doesn't care about his animals by not following the cases or coming out to examine my dog when an appt was been made specifically with him, but also his bedside manner is horrendous. His final insult was that he refused to release my dogs file to me - which include tests from his breeder when he was a puppy right up to rabies and other vaccines. It should be noted that he never did address my dogs dentistry problems - the sole reason why I came to his office to begin with.

Dr. DeForge should be cited and it's a shame that he continues to practice.

Simba Taylor
Simba Taylor
Milford, US
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Sep 18, 2013 8:10 pm EDT
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www.JusticeforSimba.com

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Simba Taylor
Simba Taylor
Milford, US
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Sep 21, 2013 11:20 am EDT
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Meeting Donald Deforge was the worst experiences of my lifetime. His 'treatment' of my cat has been described by my friends as 'animal experimentation' and 'torture.' Please read the details of what occurred at www.justiceforsimba.com

I would also like to add that I have read reviews of Dr. Deforge confronting his clients on the internet and calling them 'unbalanced' and other negative terms. Is this who you want for your vet? As a licensed mental health professional, I can assure you that Donald Deforge is NOT qualified to assess or comment on the mental health or status of any human. Him doing so is actually practicing medicine (human) without a license and is against the law.

We are required to post this disclaimer so here it is. Disclaimer: 'Lisa Taylor-Austin believes there was merit to her claims that Dr. Deforge negligently cared for her cat, Simba, and that he misrepresented whether he was a Board-certified dental specialist. Dr. Deforge denies these claims and asserts that the Department of Public Health's veterinary board cleared him of any wrong doing. However, Dr Deforge agreed to pay $7, 500.00 to compensate Ms. Taylor-Austin because he believed the risks inherent in any lawsuit and the cost of missing two weeks from his practice made it imprudent to go to trial.'

This was a 4.5 year long legal process. I spent $24, 000 on Simba's unneeded surgery and medical care after the negligence.

Visit www.justiceforsimba.com

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my3cats
Milford, US
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May 29, 2014 1:00 pm EDT

I agree I had a horrible experience with this poor excuse for a vet. Not sure how he even has a license.
Horrible bedside manner and horrible vet.

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my3cats
Milford, US
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May 29, 2014 1:09 pm EDT

I read a comment above about if you don't like him don't comment just take your animal somewhere else.
NO WAY ANY CONSUMER POSTED THAT.
THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT WOULD BRING THEIR PET TO THIS VET IS SOMEONE THAT DOESNT KNOW ANY BETTER.
IT'S VERY SAD TO THINK ABOUT ELDERLY PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT USE THE INTERNET AND BRING THEIR PETS TO THIS MAN.
DEPENDING ON THE CONDITION OR MEDICAL ISSUE WITH YOUR ANIMAL BRINGING YOUR PET TO HIM MAY BE A HORRIBLE OUTCOME.
HE IS A NIGHTMARE

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my3cats
Milford, US
Send a message
May 29, 2014 1:19 pm EDT

The more I read about this ### the more I realize Donald Deforge is a ### and should have his license taken away.

I had the same experience with him also involving his staff and refusing contact, refusing needed medicine, etc etc

How does he find people to work in his office, that's the question?
He must go through office staff often...

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loyalpetowner
Milford, US
Send a message
May 29, 2014 4:59 pm EDT

i just dreadfully read through the message from deforge and WOW.
What a kicker.
Compassion? lol
You need to retire,
you hang up, threaten police, kick people out, refuse to transfer/release records,
Web-terror, really, you expect people to believe that other people sat here and made up entire stories about their pets and what horrible things happened because of you.
you expect people to believe that all theses different stories are all one person, hahaha
you have taken money from people long enough for inadequate pet care
karma is a b****