BRANFORD, CT (WFSB) — There is a disturbing new trend is surfacing at veterinary hospitals.
People suffering from opioid addiction are using their pets to get their fix. In some cases, injuring their own animals.
A vet in Branford said a pet owner wanted pain med re-fills for his dog, quickly.
“I never thought we would see anything like that here,” said Jennifer Shortt, of Mill Pond Veterinary Hospital.
They have spread the word and now he’s been flagged at other local veterinarian offices.
“That’s how desperate unfortunately it’s becoming,” said Deborah Yarrow, of Mill Pond Veterinary Hospital.
She said animals are vulnerable to the epidemic.
“It’s wrong that they’re using their dogs to get their opioids. It’s also wrong that they’re willing to injure their dogs to get the drugs that they need,” Yarrow said.
Vets in the area are now trying to get his pet removed.
The animal hospital in Branford is raising awareness about this type of animal abuse.
They posted a warning on their page, and shared a case out of Kentucky where authorities say a woman used her husband’s razor to injure the family retriever to get opioid pain killers.
