Dr. Samuel E. Wilcox

Vet denies beating dog

Columbus, MS

May 17, 2006

Dr. Samuel Wilcox, a Columbus veterinarian, is scheduled to appear August 21^st in Municipal Court on a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty that has been continued twice.  He ‘vehemently denies’ allegations that he severely beat a dog in his care in May.

Dr. Wilcox was issued a court summons by the Columbus Police Department following an affidavit filed by Melissa Sharp of Columbus that stated he beat her dog when it was brought in for a bath on May 17^th.  After being called to pick up her dog after it bit Wilcox, she was informed by clinic employees that Dr. Wilcox had kicked the dog in the head repeatedly before and after the bite.

Sharp has been a client for 17 years and never had any problems before the May 17^th incident.

An employee who worked at Animal Clinic of Columbus, Rachel Barhan, quit shortly after the alleged incident stating she was scared after what she saw. She further stated that Wilcox was ‘perfectly fine to the animals before that’, but after the display of rage, she was scared.

Barhan said she took the dog to push a leash on it and it growled at her because of the way she approached it. Wilcox took the leash from her to do it himself. As she turned to walk out, she looked out of the corner of her eye and saw Wilcox start kicking the dog in the face and chest. The dog was screaming and peeing on itself. Wilcox saw her standing there and directed her to get out. She saw him get the leash on the dog while he continued to kick the dog.  Once Wilcox got the leash on, the dog pulled it out of his hand and bit him.  Wilcox again started kicking and smashing the dog’s head into a cement wall.  As Barhan walked out, she heard the dog screaming.  After a few minutes the dog was brought out with its face swollen. Barnhan was instructed to clean up the mess.  As she cleaned the kennel out, she could hear Wilcox beating the dog again.

Attorney Rod Ray issued a statement on behalf of Dr. Wilcox denying the charges, The statement calls the charges ‘patently false and against every principle for which Dr. Wilcox has stood for his entire career’. The statement continues on that Wilcox ‘values the reputation he has earned over the years and has undertaken to carry on his practice in the most professional manner possible’.

Ray’s statement also portrays the incident in a much different light.  He stated that animals sometimes act in a manner that necessitates dealing with them in a serious yet humane manner.  Dr. Wilcox said he observed the dog in question being led to a kennel by a newly hired employee.  Upon noticing the dog’s aggression towards the employee, and remembering that this dog had previously required sedation during this last visit due to aggression, he intervened and attempted to place a leash on the dog and the dog bit him on the hand.  Dr. Wilcox stated the dog then lunged at him and he was forced to defend himself by pushing the dog away with his foot until he could put a leash on him and subdue him.  He maintains that he never did anything other than protect himself and his staff from the aggressive dog, in a humane manner.  He further stated that the blood shed scenario was that of his own, and he was the only person or animal injured and requiring treatment, which he stated he received at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle.

After the incident, Sharp stated that one of the clinic employees called her and told her the dog had bitten Dr. Wilcox and to come and pick the dog up.  It took a few minutes for her dog to come to her –

she found it huddled in a corner in shock.  Dr. Wilcox, acting strange, stuck his head in and stated the blood on her dog’s face was from his hand.  At that point, the dog’s face was swollen and there was hair gone in places. Sharp received a letter from Barham detailing what she had seen. She gave Sharp the letter as Sharp was leaving and Barham and other employees told Sharp never to bring the dog back to the office again.

After putting her dog into the car, Sharp could smell him.  He had eliminated all over himself and was drooling with fear.  She was advised by family members to contact the police.  Columbus Police Chief J.D. Sanders and his Department believe there is merit to this case.  He stated that after thorough investigation, it was felt that they had enough witnesses to substantiate the allegations and would not go forward if they did not.

Sharp stated that Dr. Wilcox has phoned her multiple times but she has declined to speak to him.

Update 7/27/06:

Dr. Wilcox practice "Animal Clinic of Columbus" is located at 162 Plantation Dr., Columbus, OH 39705

Reference:

The Commercial Dispatch