State suspends Spokane veterinarian

The veterinary license of Douglas C. Mohney, a former veterinarian at the Spokane Humane Society, has been suspended by state regulators. Mohney, of Post Falls, who now works at Liberty Lake Veterinary Center, is accused by the state of diverting drugs from the humane society from May to December 2007. Those drugs were a tranquilizer and anesthetic. In addition, he is accused of ordering in September 2008 two bottles of hydromorphone and six bottles of morphine for personal use, according to the statement of charges. The order, placed under his name, was to be shipped to the Liberty Lake clinic, documents show, and discovered on a Pet Doctor’s Plus account history. The summary suspension means Mohney is prohibited from practicing as a veterinarian in Washington pending further disciplinary proceedings by the Veterinary Board of Governors. He has 20 days to respond to charges. Contacted by telephone, Mohney said he was unaware of the summary suspension. He acknowledged seeking treatment through the state for a drug problem. He said he is in a rehabilitation program and thought his legal problems were resolved. He said the problem stemmed from chronic back problems that required multiple surgeries and medications. “I am just in a state of shock,” he said. “The 2008 stuff is not correct,” Mohney said. “That was all used for pain medication for the patients (animals).” Dave Richardson, executive director at the humane society, said he would defer comment until he could review information on the suspension. The veterinary board determined that Mohney posed an imminent risk of harm to the public as part of its findings, signed May 18. Portions of the charges involving health history in the state document were blacked out for privacy purposes, according to a cover letter attached to the charges. The board regulates veterinarians in Washington. The program establishes, monitors and enforces qualifications for licensing, consistent standards of practice, continuing competency mechanisms, and discipline.