The Discipline Committee of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario has suspended the licence of Dr. Matthew Allossery of Mount Albert, ON, for six months after finding that he committed professional misconduct during the treatment of a horse, failed to properly communicate with a client, and breached client confidentiality on social media.
In its penalty and costs decision released February 2, 2026, the disciplinary committee ordered the suspension, mandatory education, post-suspension practice monitoring, and payment of $103,698.38 in costs.
The case arose from a complaint involving the treatment of a 15-year-old gelding named Sapphire in February, 2022. In an earlier merits decision issued in December 2024, the panel found that Dr. Allossery had kicked and repeatedly struck the horse during a dental procedure while it was sedated, failed to communicate clinical findings to the owner, and disclosed confidential information in a response to a social media post.
The panel did not find misconduct relating to other horses, and did not find a breach of record-keeping requirements.
In its penalty decision, the panel described the conduct toward Sapphire as a serious departure from professional standards. It wrote that Dr. Allossery’s actions “failed to maintain the standards of practice, revealed confidential information contrary to regulation, and amounted to disgraceful, dishonourable, or unprofessional conduct and conduct unbecoming.”
Video evidence of the treatment was a significant factor in the panel’s assessment. The panel noted that Sapphire’s owner stated she could see the horse was struggling to keep his head in place and to maintain his balance, and concluded that the conduct was unacceptable.
The College of Veterinarians of Ontario sought a 15-month suspension, arguing that a lengthy penalty was necessary to reflect the seriousness of the misconduct, deter similar behaviour, and maintain public confidence in the profession. The College submitted that the case attracted significant public attention and that societal expectations around animal welfare justified a stronger sanction.
Dr. Allossery argued for a significantly shorter suspension, maintaining that the incident was isolated, there was no evidence of lasting harm to the horse, and that he had demonstrated remorse. The panel heard character evidence from clients and colleagues who described him as a dedicated veterinarian, despite being aware of the findings in the case.
The panel ultimately imposed a six-month suspension, concluding that the suspension coupled with targeted education, confidentiality and social-media training, and robust post-suspension monitoring is proportionate and sufficient to meet the sanctioning objectives. Dr. Allossery must also complete approved training in anger and stress management, equine restraint and behaviour including chemical restraint protocols, and client confidentiality and professional social media use. Following his suspension, he will be subject to monthly practice monitoring for one year.
The panel also ordered Dr. Allossery to pay 30 percent of the College’s investigative, legal, and hearing costs, totalling $103,698.38. The College had sought a higher amount, while Dr. Allossery argued that no costs should be awarded, or that any award should be significantly reduced due to the College’s lack of success on several allegations.
The panel stated that the final order was intended to balance accountability and rehabilitation, concluding that it was “proportionate to the misconduct found, advances denunciation and deterrence, supports remediation, and maintains public confidence in the profession’s capacity to regulate.”
You can read the decision HERE.
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