Dunklin County Prosecutor files charges against a veterinarian, posing as a veterinarian

KENNETT, Mo. - A Fredericktown veterinarian free on bond masqueraded as a relief veterinarian here and was arrested after he attempted to conduct unauthorized examinations on animals and fled the scene.

Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain charged Branum with two counts of burglary, animal abuse and attempted stealing of an animal, the prosecutor said Friday.

A Probable Cause Affidavit (PCA) submitted by Kennett Police Dept. Officer Mitchell Hunter stated he believed William Bruce Branum, 64, of 1443 Madison, Apt. 212, Fredericktown had committed felony first-degree burglary, abuse of an animal and stealing.

Branum is under investigation and is free on bond from Madison County for stealing and felony tampering with a witness in a felony prosecution, according to court records.

Hunter's PCA stated Branum on Thursday, Jan. 9, entered a Kennett veterinarian's office while the primary doctor was on vacation and was recognized by a relief doctor, who said he knew Branum operated an animal clinic at Fredericktown.

A witness at the Kennett office said Branum attempted to conduct an exam on a canine patient "insisting that he could perform X-rays on the dog's hips, administer various vaccines and wanted to place the dog under sedation" despite being told he couldn't and had no permission to act as a relief veterinarian from the primary physician, according to Hunter's PCA.

Branum was said to have rifled through the clinic's cabinets and drawers, but staff could not determine if he pilfered any medications, the PCA indicated.

Branum was alleged to have taken the dog into an exam room without authorization, attempted to examine the animal and slapped it causing it to cry out, asked its owner about breeding and training the dog, and wanted to take possession of the animal and take it back to Fredericktown, Hunter's PCA stated.

The owner told Branum she wasn't interested, but he "entered a maroon, newer Cadillac car with a temporary tag and fled the scene," according to the PCA.

Branum was described as "not in the best mental state at this time and is known to travel to numerous states frequently" according to the PCA.

Branum Thursday appeared before 35th Judicial District Circuit Court Presiding Judge Rob Mayer to answer to Jain's charges, pleaded not guilty, a bond reduction was requested by Branum's Poplar Bluff attorney, Christopher L. Yarbro and Jain objected, according to court documents.

Judge Mayer ordered Branum's $25,000 cash or surety bond and the accused was released Thursday from custody at the Dunklin County Jail at Kennett.

Branum was ordered not to return to Dunklin County as a condition of his bond, court documents stated.

His case is scheduled for review before Mayer at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Dunklin County Justice Center, 1175 Floyd St., Kennett.