A veterinary technician was hurt in a hit-and-run outside a pet hospital in Mesa, Arizona, after a couple allegedly took their sick cat from the facility without paying for its treatment.
The incident happened on Monday, November 2, at EVE Pet Hospital near Gilbert Road and Broadway Road. Mesa police are investigating the alleged theft of services and the collision, and are seeking information to identify the pair.
Hospital manager Elana Gulla said the couple brought in the cat after it developed vomiting and diarrhoea. Staff carried out an examination and basic tests, before keeping the animal in the hospital’s intensive care unit while the owners tried to arrange payment.
The couple later returned and asked whether a third party could be sent a payment link. Staff agreed, but Gulla said the payment had not been secured when the woman went into an examination room, took the cat and left.
A veterinary technician followed her outside because of concerns about the animal. Gulla also went out to try to record the vehicle’s number plate.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows the driver reversing into the technician before briefly stopping and then continuing to reverse away from the hospital. The technician was assessed by emergency medical personnel and was reported to be doing well, although they were hurt.
Gulla said the employee had not initially realised that the bill remained unpaid and was more concerned about the cat’s welfare than the money owed to the hospital.
Mesa police have asked anyone who recognises the couple or their vehicle to contact the department’s non-emergency line on 480-644-2211.
