A WORCESTER vet has agreed to retire early after being accused of mistreating three horses.

David Denny, who has practised in Worcester for more than 40 years, was facing 46 charges relating to the horses.

However, the 81-year-old whose practice was in Henwick Road, St John's, has now agreed to permanently remove himself from the Register of Veterinary Surgeons rather than appear before the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons disciplinary committee.

The charges related to the treatment of three young horses, belonging to the same owner, in April 2015.

Among the charges were that he administered chloroform when it was inappropriate; failed to carry out certain medical procedures; did not administer anti-biotic drugs when appropriate; and failed to first establish the medical history of the animal.

Other charges accused him of failing to dispose appropriately of animal body parts; failing to take sufficient steps to reduce the risk of surgical infection; failing to examine the horses properly before or after administering a general anaesthetic and failing to discuss their proposed surgery with the owner or keep adequate clinical records.

Mr Denny was unavailable to comment yesterday, but in a letter to his clients, wrote: "It is with great sadness and reluctance, that due to circumstances beyond my control, that I have been compelled to withdraw my name from the register.

"Consequently, I have to give up my way of life for 60 years and prematurely retire from practice.

"It is only as a result of your custom and loyalty, that I have been extremely fortunate to follow my career and way of life.

"Years ago there was a saying: 'there is a right way, a wrong way and a Denny way of doing things'.

"Together with common sense and integrity 'my way' successfully evolved over the decades.

"Ultimately because 'my way' is incompatible with the modern way of 'ticking all the boxes', lack of flexibility etc, I have had to pay the ultimate penalty.

"Your loyalty and support has been greatly appreciated. Sorry and thank you all."

Mr Denny was due to appear before the disciplinary committee on Monday, but at the start of the hearing he made an application for the hearing to be adjourned, if a form of undertakings was accepted.

A statement from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons reads: "These undertakings were that his name be removed from the register with immediate effect and that he never apply to be restored to the register under any category.

"The application was granted by the committee, taking into account a number of factors.

"These include the fact that Mr Denny had now retired and closed his practice, his long and hitherto unblemished veterinary career and the fact that it would not be proportionate, or in the public interest, for there to be a lengthy hearing on the matter."

He was officially removed from the register after the hearing.

It is not the first time the vet has been criticised. In 2014 he was accused of mistakenly putting down a dog that was only at the vets for some antibiotics.

The matter was investigated at the time by The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and Mr Denny agreed to take a step back from dealing with smaller animals, handing that side of the business to others.

Mr Denny originally worked for four years at a practice in The Butts, Worcester, before setting up on his own as DJB Denny veterinary practice first in Hallow and in 1968 in Henwick Road, St John's.

In 2010 he won the national equine vet of the year award.

At the time he told the Worcester News: "I’d always wanted to be a vet. My uncle was a vet, so was my grandfather and my great uncle.

"Whether a horse costs £10,000 or £10 I’ll always do my best for it.”

After news of Mr Denny's retirement broke, the Worcester News was sent a number of comments from readers.

Loulou Djh wrote: "Sad times. Mr Denny is a gentleman.

"A honourable man who knew his job and what he stood for."

Johnmaffs said: "Been a customer for years.

"He has like he says got the Denny way of doing things but he has a lot more loyal happy customers than unhappy moaners."

Sylvia Herbert said: "He was blunt on the outside but he had a very good heart."

Helen Marshall added: "I have so many memories of this man.

"He is like Marmite - you love him or hate him."