MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Authorities are investigating after an anonymous tip led to the arrest of two men Saturday after they allegedly operated an unauthorized veterinary clinic in southwest Miami-Dade.
According to Miami-Dade police, 68-year-old David Villalonga Blondin, and Robert Hernandez Ferra, 47, both of Miami, are facing charges that include practicing veterinary medicine without a license.
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According to investigators, detectives from MDPD’s Medical Crimes Unit received a tip last year from a pet owner who took their dog to a vet clinic being operated out of a private residence. An operative procedure was performed on the dog at the residence and the dog’s wound later became infected. The dog’s tail was later amputated by a licensed veterinarian, police said.
The MDPD’s medical crimes unit in collaboration with Miami-Dade Animal Services and The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) executed a search warrant on the residence where they encountered multiple animal owners with their pets, waiting to have various veterinary procedures performed by unlicensed individuals, according to Martin.
Local 10 News crew was at the scene Saturday morning where a paper sign in Spanish on the front door of the home read, “veterinarian in rear” and had an arrow pointing to the back of the home.
About 6 to 8 people were seen on the sidewalk bringing their pets to the home located near the 11000 block of southwest 185th Terrace before Miami-Dade police officers arrived.
After the police warrant was served at the home, vehicles were already outside with animals and patients waiting to be seen.
Records show the homeowner was identified as Arsenio Rodriguez, who has a veterinarian license.
Authorities said after searching for the home, they found “numerous” bottles of prescribed medication that were obtained using the license of a real vet professional but were administered by unlicensed people.
Detectives learned that these medications were obtained by the violators from a real licensed veterinarian.
Investigators told Local 10 News that the veterinarian may have to surrender his license if they are convicted of the crime.
Police said the person who owns the veterinary license is the homeowner but doesn’t seem to have direct involvement with the day-to-day operation.
It also remains unclear how long the home has been in operation for veterinary use.
Police said clients heard about the operation through word of mouth and were told it was operated as a cash-only business.
Authorities say there were no records of any animals or injured animals being kept at the home.