A. Any person may file a complaint against a licensee for a violation of this chapter. Except as provided in subsection C, complaints shall be submitted in proper form and signed by the complainant. Each complaint shall be turned over to an appointed staff investigator who shall compile the written complaint and the written response and may verify statements and any evidence submitted by the complainant and the respondent.

Terms Used In Arizona Laws 32-2235

  • Board: means the Arizona state veterinary medical examining board. See Arizona Laws 32-2201
  • Certified veterinary technician: means either:

    (a) A graduate of a minimum two-year American veterinary medical association accredited program in veterinary technology who has passed a national and a state veterinary technician examination. See Arizona Laws 32-2201

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Person: includes a corporation, company, partnership, firm, association or society, as well as a natural person. See Arizona Laws 1-215
  • Veterinarian: means a person who has received a doctor's degree in veterinary medicine from a veterinary college. See Arizona Laws 32-2201
  • Veterinary medicine: includes veterinary surgery, obstetrics, dentistry, acupuncture, manipulation and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine and prescribing, administering or dispensing drugs and medications for veterinary purposes. See Arizona Laws 32-2201

B. If after completion of this preliminary investigation the staff investigator believes that there would not be a violation of this chapter if the allegations were proven to be true or if the complaint does not fall under the jurisdiction of the board, the board shall review the written information and investigative report at a scheduled board meeting at which time the board may dismiss the complaint or proceed as otherwise authorized.

C. A complaint may be anonymous if it is regarding either of the following:

1. Substance abuse by a veterinarian or certified veterinary technician.

2. A person committing the unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine.

D. The board, on its own initiative and based on information from any source, may investigate any alleged violation of this chapter.

 

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