 |
Bay News 9
Local Programming
On Demand
About
Community
Market Place
Services
Lakeland's 'swan doctor' facing drug charges
The DEA says Gardner lacked the proper licensing for distribution of controlled substances.
LAKELAND (Bay News 9) -- The veterinarian who cares for Lakeland's swans is facing drug charges.
The Drug Enforcement Agency and the Lakeland police say Dr. Geoffrey Gardner had controlled substances in his clinic, but he didn't have the proper licenses to dispense them.
Gardner is known around Lakeland as the "swan doctor." Each fall, he and city workers round up the city's floating flock. Gardner then checks their health, gives them shots and sets them free.
A city spokesperson said Gardner provided all of the services to the city for free, a tradition his father started about 50 years ago.
Last month, Gardner was arrested. Officials say his veterinarian's license is still active, but his DEA license to prescribe controlled substances expired in September, and he never renewed it.
Investigators seized drugs from a locked box in the office and took Gardner to jail.
Gardner said the charges are a "matter of oversight."
"It's a clerical error," he said. "I can't believe the state attorney would waste time and taxpayer money pursuing these idiotic charges."
The veterinarian entered a not guilty plea this week. He said the Lakeland Veterinary Hospital will remain open.
However, right now the hospital is closed, posing a problem for clinic patients like Keith Coker, who found a locked door when he arrived to pick up insulin for his diabetic dog.
"My wife had an appointment a couple of days ago with one of our dogs and you know everything went fine," he said. "But, you know, I'm supposed to come pick this up and now they're closed, so I don't know what I'm going to do."
The office phone is disconnected. Staff was inside the building on Thursday, but a sign taped to the door read "We will be open Wednesday, July 15th, for one time only".
In addition, court records show the Lakeland Veterinary Hospital is currently in foreclosure.
Gardner said he is currently working out a deal with a local businessman to keep it open.
Be in the Know with Bay News 9 Now!
Get news, weather, and traffic alerts delivered directly to your computer desktop, e-mail, or cell phone with Bay News 9 Now.
- Subscribe for free!
More Polk County Stories
- Mulberry Pharmacy celebrates century in business
- Lake Wales bank robbery suspect admits change of heart
- Tornado rips through Haines City, destroys homes
- Man charged with 75 counts of possession of child porn
- Bartow woman dies after extended religious fast
- Man who held sewer plant naming auction does it again
- Lakeland baby stepfather is accused of abusing dies
- Not just pro teams pumping money into local economy
- Program aims to put unemployed parents back to work
Good, Green Fun
Festivals, green beer, and more ways to celebrate St. Paddy's Day!
| |
Select the size text you want to use to view www.baynews9.com from the choices below.
Bay News 9's Partners
 |  |  |
|  |
About Bright House Networks