Woman posts about dog she was treating; now she faces criminal charges

A Bradenton woman is facing charges of practicing veterinary medicine without a license after police say she had posted information on Facebook about her services.

Katherine “Kathy” Walker was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with aggravated animal cruelty and practicing veterinary medicine without a license.

Bradenton police had first learned that Walker was practicing veterinary medicine without a license after someone reported a Faceboook post she made in the EmergencyPetReHomeManatee group. Walker had been advertising that she was treating animals and said that she was a private veterinary technician, authorities said.

On Thursday afternoon, Walker appeared before Circuit Judge Charles Gilbert Jr. for her first appearance hearing. Walker was ordered not to have any care, control or custody of any animals other that her two service dogs at the request of Assistant State Attorney Lisa Chittaro.

The lead investigator in the case, Bradenton police Detective Liza Moyett did not object either, according to Chittaro, since they were found to be in good health. Gilbert ordered, at their request also, that Manatee County Animal Services to able allowed to do random visits to check on the welfare of Walker’s service dogs.

Chittaro said her primary concern was to make sure that Walker would not be practicing anymore veterinary medicine on animals. She also wanted to ensure that she did not obtain additional animals.

Walker’s daughter was in court and asked the judge to consider lowering her bond or letting her out on her own recognizance.

“I’m on disability since 2000; I have no other income,” Walker told the judge.

Gilbert reduced Walker’s bond to $10,000 and said that she could be released under the Supervised Release Program as an alternative.

This story was originally published November 3, 2016 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Woman posts about dog she was treating; now she faces criminal charges."