EMMA BOWLER STRUCK OFF IN MARKET RASEN FOR COMPETENCE FAILINGS
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Market Rasen Animal Abuser
Disgraced veterinarian Emma Kathleen Bowler, also known as Emma Takken, of Moorhen Close, Market Rasen LN8 3TW, has been disqualified from practicing veterinary medicine in the UK following a disciplinary hearing by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Bowler, who worked at the Lincoln and Market Rasen branches of Rase Veterinary Centre, was found to have failed to provide adequate care to 18 animals and caused unnecessary injuries over a misconduct period lasting approximately three years and eight months.
The disciplinary panel concluded that Bowler’s actions, particularly regarding a German Shepherd Cross Belgian Malinois, were among the most serious charges. One significant incident on January 24, 2020, involved her performing a total hip replacement on the dog. The panel noted that Bowler 'was not sufficiently trained or capable of performing a total hip procedure on her own.' The surgery was unsuccessful because she did not carry out necessary pre-operative radiographs and selected an inappropriate implant size.
Furthermore, on February 12, 2020, Bowler conducted a revision surgery she performed 'recklessly,' which was considered especially complex given that the initial surgery had failed. The panel emphasized she should have sought assistance from a more experienced veterinarian or orthopaedic specialist at that stage, recognizing her limited surgical ability following the first procedure.
Her misconduct extended beyond this case, involving poorly planned surgeries, failure to identify or admit surgical errors, inadequate post-operative radiographs, insufficient aftercare, and failure to record procedures in five cases. It was also revealed that Bowler provided 'misleading statements' to a client concerning a surgery on a Jack Russell Terrier, claiming that records indicated the problem was in the right hind leg when it was not.
The disciplinary committee highlighted that her knowledge and understanding of orthopaedics were very limited, citing recurring errors throughout her cases. Neil Slater, chair of the committee, stated: 'The committee decided that the broad range of Ms Bowler’s misconduct... was incompatible with remaining on the register and the public interest required removal from the register even when all of Ms Bowler’s mitigation was taken into account.'
He added: 'The committee therefore concluded that removal from the register was the appropriate and proportionate sanction because of a serious departure from professional standards, reckless disregard for such standards, multiple cases involving harm or risk of harm to animals, and because it was difficult to determine if there was an attitudinal problem in her work.'
Rase Veterinary Centre declined to comment following the hearing.
The decision confirms Bowler’s disqualification from veterinary practice across the UK, marking a significant professional downfall.
The disciplinary panel concluded that Bowler’s actions, particularly regarding a German Shepherd Cross Belgian Malinois, were among the most serious charges. One significant incident on January 24, 2020, involved her performing a total hip replacement on the dog. The panel noted that Bowler 'was not sufficiently trained or capable of performing a total hip procedure on her own.' The surgery was unsuccessful because she did not carry out necessary pre-operative radiographs and selected an inappropriate implant size.
Furthermore, on February 12, 2020, Bowler conducted a revision surgery she performed 'recklessly,' which was considered especially complex given that the initial surgery had failed. The panel emphasized she should have sought assistance from a more experienced veterinarian or orthopaedic specialist at that stage, recognizing her limited surgical ability following the first procedure.
Her misconduct extended beyond this case, involving poorly planned surgeries, failure to identify or admit surgical errors, inadequate post-operative radiographs, insufficient aftercare, and failure to record procedures in five cases. It was also revealed that Bowler provided 'misleading statements' to a client concerning a surgery on a Jack Russell Terrier, claiming that records indicated the problem was in the right hind leg when it was not.
The disciplinary committee highlighted that her knowledge and understanding of orthopaedics were very limited, citing recurring errors throughout her cases. Neil Slater, chair of the committee, stated: 'The committee decided that the broad range of Ms Bowler’s misconduct... was incompatible with remaining on the register and the public interest required removal from the register even when all of Ms Bowler’s mitigation was taken into account.'
He added: 'The committee therefore concluded that removal from the register was the appropriate and proportionate sanction because of a serious departure from professional standards, reckless disregard for such standards, multiple cases involving harm or risk of harm to animals, and because it was difficult to determine if there was an attitudinal problem in her work.'
Rase Veterinary Centre declined to comment following the hearing.
The decision confirms Bowler’s disqualification from veterinary practice across the UK, marking a significant professional downfall.