Embattled B.C. veterinarian's license reinstated

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — More than a year after his license was revoked by the British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association (BCVMA), Dr. Hakam Bhullar can practice again, according to a ruling by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

Supreme Court Justice A. Saunders ruled Feb. 15 that the late 2009 decision by BCVMA, now known as the College of Veterinarians of British Columbia (CVBC), should be overturned since some members of the inquiry panel retired before a decision was rendered.

Bhullar initially lost his veterinary license following a CVBC hearing citing 17 charges, ranging from an allegedly botched debarking operation to the way he marketed his services. He owns a group of animal hospitals in Canada and has repeatedly accused CVBC of racial discrimination. A separate complaint from Bhullar concerning racial bias against CVBC is still pending before the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.

CVBC has not issued any comment on the court's decision except for a statement saying Bhullar was fully reinstated as a practicing veterinarian on Feb. 15.