Singapore-born veterinarian without AVS-approved license fined and sanctioned in Australia for inappropriate acts with animals

SINGAPORE – A Singapore-born veterinary surgeon based in Adelaide, Australia, has been sanctioned and fined A$5,000 (S$4,400) for engaging in a series of inappropriate acts involving animals, Australian media reported.

Marcus Tan Wei Sheng, who studied in Australia for six years before first working in veterinary practice in 2019, has not been banned from practicing as a veterinarian there, but must do so under strict conditions and supervision, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. .

TODAY understands that you do not have a valid practicing license in Singapore.

To practice veterinary medicine here, you must apply for and obtain a veterinary license from the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) under the National Parks Board.

During hearings in Australia into his case, Tan denied having a sexual attraction to animals, but admitted to inappropriate behavior.

Between August 2019 and September 2020, he was found to have inappropriately touched several animals in his care. This includes a Labrador retriever owned by the Royal Society for the Blind in South Australia.

The Australian broadcaster deemed his other acts too explicit to publish.

At the time of the crimes, he carried out his activity in the field of animal reproduction, including artificial insemination.

In South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal findings released last month, it was noted that some of his former colleagues had described feeling “uncomfortable” about the way he interacted with animals.

A veterinarian told a hearing that there was “no valid medical reason” for what Tan did in some cases, adding that his behavior was “noticeably abnormal” and a “serious breach of the standards of behavior expected of veterinarians.” “.

Tan was investigated after the Registrar of the Board of Veterinary Surgeons of South Australia lodged a complaint against him.

During the court hearings, a petition signed by 17 people from the veterinary industry was filed, in which people recounted that they had witnessed Tan performing inappropriate acts with animals and that the behavior “goes against basic animal welfare.”

Following hearings in December last year, the tribunal concluded that Tan had engaged in “unprofessional conduct” and that there was “adequate cause to take disciplinary action against the respondent”.

To continue practicing as a veterinarian, Tan must provide veterinary treatment only when employed in an approved practice and under the indirect supervision and mentoring of persons approved by the Board of Veterinary Surgeons of South Australia.

You will also need to meet in person with the supervisor and mentor at least once every two months. They will provide guidance, feedback and semi-annual reports to the board, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said.

These sanctions, which came into force on January 31, will remain in force for five years.

They cannot be withdrawn until he is evaluated by a psychiatrist and is approved by the board as “medically fit to resume practice as a veterinary surgeon without restrictions,” according to the news report.

Tan was also ordered to pay the registrar’s legal costs of A$27,000.

Responding to TODAY’s questions on whether AVS would take this incident into consideration if Tan ever applied for a veterinary license in Singapore in the future, Ms Jessica Kwok, its group director for the industry standards and regulatory division, said on Thursday (May 2). ) that all applicants would be subject to a “thorough and independent” review process.

The applicant’s conduct and compliance with AVS regulatory standards would be evaluated.

“The process considers all relevant factors, such as verification of a recognized degree in veterinary medicine, a letter of support from a veterinary practice in Singapore or a letter of good standing from the veterinary licensing authority in the last country of residence and practice From applicant. ” Mrs. Kwok added.

Licensed veterinarians must comply with the code of ethics for veterinarians, which establishes the professional standards of conduct expected of veterinarians.