Missing Las Vegas Veterinarian Has History Of Malpractice, Was Given Year Long Suspension In 2016

It might not have been the first time he’s treated an animal wrongly, but it was the first time it was captured on film.

A Las Vegas veterinarian is under fire right now after a video of him kicking a colt in the head went viral on social media. Dr. Shawn Frehner was captured kicking a mustang colt in the head while on a farm visit last week, while performing anesthetic shots. In a since-deleted social media post, Frehner said that the horse was being aggressive and noted that this action was “wise” for his safety.

“I thought it was wise for my safety to reach over with my foot and hit him on the cheek hard enough to startle him so that he would get up again or at least start breathing again. When I did that, he turned into my foot and I did kick him directly in the chin.”

The horse’s owner, Shawna Gonzalez, said that Dr. Frehner fled her property after the incident, leaving the horse on the ground struggling to breathe. In the social media post, Dr. Frehner admitted that he wished the action had never happened, but denied leaving the horse needing additional medical care.

“I did not blatantly haul off and kick this horse as it appears in the video. That was not my intention at all. It was done simply to get the horse in a better position so that he could breathe and get up and move, so I could again try to anesthetize.

But yes, I did kick him right in the chin, and I very much do apologize and wish this never happened.”

However, the horse was taken to Desert Pines Equine Center to receive further medical attention, and the owner said the horse is still at the facility, recovering from surgery that was needed after the fact.

The situation worsened when Dr. Frehner went missing Monday afternoon. The search began yesterday when officials looked for Frehner at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. A press release stated that search efforts involved aerial, marine, and ground resources.

While we hope that Dr. Frehner is found, there is speculation from the viral video that his disappearance is linked to this malpractice.

Before the disappearance, the horse’s owner had opened a criminal case against Frehner for felony animal abuse. However, as this new story unfolded, it was discovered that this is not the first time Dr. Frehner has not followed the rules and regulations established by The Nevada Veterinary Board of Medical Examiners.

Fox5Vegas reported that in 2016, Frehner was put on a year-long probation for having “poorly kept records,” writing medical records on the back of invoices or call logs. He was also found to give clients medication in “plastic baggies” with no way of verifying the medicine, dosage, or how much was wanted out.

8NewsNow also spoke to a previous client named Mary, who had a negative experience with his practice and witnessed his actions firsthand.

“He said, ‘You need to give this baggie of medicine that I made up myself, and it helps with their circulation.’ And he goes, ‘They won’t, you just have to force it down their throat.’”

Although the internet shows no sympathy toward Dr. Frehner in this story, we do hope that he is found alive and safe. However, we do not condone his actions, and his license to practice should be revoked immediately.

The case the horse’s owner opened against Dr. Frehner is still an active investigation. The Nevada Veterinary Board of Medical Examiners told FOX5 they cannot comment on any pending complaints, but are aware of Thursday’s incident in Pahrump and the incident the viewer complained about.

The horse’s owner told FOX5 that although she had never had a bad experience with Frehner before, she must legally protect her animals.

“Everyone is going to have their opinion. Before this happened, Frehner, like I said, was very good to our animals. I never thought this man would have ever done this. I completely get where they are defending him because I never would have thought he would have done this either.

I am protecting my animal, which is what I should legally do. I’m doing what I should legally do and I will do it again if it happens again.”