Udonis Haslem Sues Veterinarian For Castrating His Dog Without Consent

Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem has filed a lawsuit in Broward County, Florida against LeadER Animal Specialty Hospital and one of its veterinary medicine doctors for their treatment of Haslem’s pet Cane Corso breed dog named Juice. The doctor allegedly castrated Juice when that was not the purpose of the visit.

Instead, Haslem had brought his dog to the facility to remove a rope that Juice swallowed. While the doctor was successful in removing the rope, he also ended up castrating the dog without Haslem’s consent and without it being necessary under the circumstances, according to Haslem.

Certainly having one’s dog castrated without consent is emotionally scarring, but Haslem says the castration is of special significance in this case. He allegedly spent $30,000 to have Juice trained by a K9 trainer to serve as a watch dog for Haslem and his family. Haslem claims that Juice cannot serve in the capacity of watch dog post-castration.

Additionally, Haslem says that the castration has caused economic harm beyond the emotional scarring. He alleges that he was in the process of starting to breed Juice and stud Juice out to other breeders.

“Each semen sample from a typical Cane Corse breeding male sells for $2,500.00,” states the Complaint. “Comparatively, each semen sample from a champion bloodline Cane Corso breeding male ranges from $3,500.00-$10,000.00; the greater the champion lineage, the higher price.”

Haslem is duing the doctor for negligence and willful and wanton misconduct, as well as vicarious liability of the hospital for the doctor’s acts.