Sanger veterinarian Lynn Stucky is asking voters to elect him as the successor to outgoing State Rep. Myra Crownover (R-Lake Dallas), but many Denton County voters are calling into question not just Stucky’s political record, but also his professional record.
Stucky’s veterinary practice came under scrutiny after a golden retriever therapy dog belonging to a local family was euthanized at a Sanger animal shelter run by Stucky while the family was on vacation. That death prompted an investigation.
In 2010, CBS 11 investigated the City of Sanger’s animal shelter that was run under contract by Stucky. CBS 11 reviewed the records and found that over 900 animals were euthanized at the facility. During the investigation, Stucky was asked if the city was putting down animals that really should have been adopted out.
“That’s a great question,” said Stucky in an interview. “They tried very hard to adopt animals.”
However records showed a different story. From 2006-2010 only two animals were adopted. Rather than “trying hard” to find homes for the pets, the city seems to have done the opposite. Prospective adopting familes would have had to go through two gates, make an appointment, and arrange a city escort before they could even see the animals.
Meanwhile, Stucky and the facility completely disregarded multiple regulations and laws including a provision which requires animals to be euthanized in a separate room free from other animals. At the city animal shelter, Stucky euthanized the family pets as the other caged animals watched.
Full video of the report can be found here.
For his work providing “veterinary care” for the shelter and other contracts, the City of Sanger compensated Stucky generously, to the tune of almost $34,000. City records show that the vast majority of that sum came from euthanasia procedures. However, Stucky’s rewards for putting down the animals weren’t just financial.
After the CBS 11 report, Stucky came under investigation by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for another matter –illegally providing animal drugs to a local grooming facility.
Records obtained from the City of Sanger reveal that City Manager Mike Brice defended Stucky before the board, sending a letter from his office to personally attest to Stucky’s character. Perhaps influenced by Brice’s letter, the board merely placed Stucky on probation rather than revoke his license to practice veterinary medicine. However, that incident wasn’t the end of Stucky’s troubles.
Information gathered in the 2010 investigation of his animal hospital revealed that Stucky had retained large amounts of expired medication and dispensed it to over 600 animals under his care. For that violation of law, Stucky received a formal reprimand and was required to take and pass the Texas veterinary jurisprudence exam in order to maintain his license.
When one of Stucky’s opponents in the Republican primary, Rick Hagen, announced that he would bring up his medical record at a candidate forum in Denton, Stucky refused to attend.
Stucky’s record as a pet killing profiteer isn’t the only matter of concern. Stucky has also received the support of all of the usual establishment players. He proudly touts an endorsement from Crownover and the support of various big-government lobby organizations.
For conservatives, both Stucky’s political and professional career raise significant concerns about the kind of public servant he would be in office. In his campaign for public office, Stucky is facing off against small businessman Read King in the runoff election on May 24th.
