Animal Hospital Charged With Illegal Activity
Members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Delta (South) District Criminal Investigation Division have concluded an eight-month investigation on illegal activities taking place at Dr. Amy’s Animal Hospital, located at 17579 Rockefeller Circle, Fort Myers.
In October 2009, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the State’s Attorney’s Office in reference to complaints received by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. There had been multiple allegations of fraudulent practices including billing; improper and unnecessary surgeries; improper use of vaccinations and medications; multiple animal deaths; and a general approach to veterinary medicine that resulted in a severely diminished quality of life for the animals.
The majority of the allegations centered on treatments and surgeries administered by Eugene Laurence (“Larry”) Gentsch (DOB 9/23/66). The investigation reveals Gentsch is not a licensed Veterinarian. These practices occurred with Dr. Amy Krista Genthsch’s (DOB 12/4/64) knowledge. As a result, warrants were requested and granted for the arrests of Amy and Larry Gentsch. On Monday, July 12, 2010, at approximately 5:34 P.M., they were located at their home, located at 4160 Orange River Loop Road, Fort Myers. They were taken into custody and transported to the Lee County Jail without incident.
Larry Gentsch is charged with two felony counts of practicing Veterinary Medicine Without a License. Amy Gentsch is charged with two felony counts of Allowing a Person to Practice Veterinary Medicine Without a License. Booking photos and additional information is available on the Sheriff’s Office website at www.sheriffleefl.org under Arrest & Inmates / Search Lee County Arrests.