AN Anniesland vet has backed the findings of a new report which says threatening behaviour by pet owners is affecting nine out of 10 vet practices.

Doranne Ashley, who runs a veterinary practice in Anniesland Road, says staff have experienced intimidation from certain clients on occasion.

Her comments follow shock statistics revealed by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) which show 85 per cent of vets say either they or a member of their team have felt intimidated by a client’s language or behaviour.

Ms Ashley told the Post: “The vast majority of our clients are lovely people who treat us with respect.

“However, all members of our team here at Ashley Vets have experienced intimidation from certain clients on occasion. This is mainly in the form of verbal abuse and in rare cases we have felt threatened both by their language and behaviour.”

The survey of more than 1,600 BVA members showed that support staff such as receptionists often took the brunt of threatening behaviour.

Those vets who work with companion animals or in a mixed practice are particularly likely to have experienced difficult clients, with 89 per cent reporting some form of intimidating experience.

BVA’s survey revealed that animal owners’ intimidating language and behaviour is often related to the cost of treatment, with 98 per cent of vets saying that at some time they feel under pressure from clients to waive fees or to accept the promise of late payment.

President of the British Veterinary Association, John Fishwick, said: “It’s concerning to see the figures around challenging client behaviour and fees, especially when vets, vet nurses and other members of the veterinary team are just, like any of us, trying to do their job.

“Owning an animal is an important responsibility and, with no NHS for animals, the reality is that owning a pet will cost tens of thousands of pounds over its lifetime.

“In order to help understand costs, it’s important to ensure a two-way vet/client discussion about the treatment options available, and the potential costs involved, so clients can make a decision that is right for them and their pet in collaboration with their vet.

“When you break down the total costs, vet fees offer value for money, covering not only the healthcare and treatment they provide for animals, but the vet team’s time and expertise, the necessary technology and equipment used, and the overheads of running the practice itself.”