Alex Bell Veterinary Clinic Dr. Diehl is abusive to animals for his own monetary gain. He has caged a dog named Devo in this clinic for 3 years since a puppy for use as collateral in a court case against original owners for nonp Centerville, Ohio

It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation on account of Dr. Barry Diehls most superior veterinarian skills. He speaks of his patients with affection and humor and often speaks of how he is able to help the pets owner work through all the challenges. Dr. Diehl approaches the pet owners as if they were the patient themselves in order to teach why he is encouraging and recommending that particular treatment.

Dr. Diehl has excellent communication skills and insists that his staff work as well as part of a collaborative team. It is apparent that his staff is all willing to put in the time to support his decisions and very much desire to be a part of this unique and challenging medical community. Dr. Diehl is an exceptional vet and I trust that he would only hire assistants that are willing to be a member of this elite team.
 
I strongly believe that his dedication, commitment and work ethic is the only reason he has achieved success with his endeavor to be the best veterinarian that anyone could ever want for their pet.
 
Respectfully,
 
Joseph

I understand the frustration of the author of the original report, but I firmly believe that their anger is not being focused on those that are truly at fault - DEBO's (not 'Devo'...) original owners. 

Much of the accounts of this story have been manipulated to make Dr. Diehl look like the bad guy.  I assure you, he is not.

The original owners of Debo allowed the puppy to get Parvo because they did not properly care for him in the first place.  Parvo is easily prevented with vaccinations - which were obviously not provided to him.  Unfortunately, Parvo is very difficult and expensive to treat.  So, when the original owners found out just HOW expensive, they decided to put Debo down.  Dr. Diehl saved Debo.  If it weren't for him, the dog would be DEAD!

Dr. Diehl refused to euthanize the dog and did take the original owners to court.  (It's the people like the original owners that have ruined the Pit Bull breed and made BSL necessary in the first place.)  Unfortunately, the court process took a long time and Dr. Diehl was not able to find the dog a home until the court proceedings were finalized (by LAW).  So, yes, the dog was kept in a kennel for an unfavorable amount of time with the intention of being re-homed and socialized, etc. when the hearings were finished.

Once the court hearings were finally complete, employees began searching for a permanent home for Debo.  The original author is correct - it was very difficult to find anything for him because of his breed and his upbringing.  Even so, I think a dog that needs training is better than a DEAD dog.  Dr. Diehl and his staff did everything possible to ensure that Debo had as good of a life as possible (top of the line dog food, toys, attention, veterinary care, etc.).  All of the things provided to Debo came out of the clinics' (i.e. Dr. Diehl's) pocket.  How could someone accuse him of using Debo for money when the court case didn't even allow him to come close to breaking even (let alone making a profit)? 

After a long time of searching for a home and extensive property damage done by Debo to the kennel (in multiple areas), Dr. Diehl decided to make a deadline.  The deadline was August 1, 2010 (much later than the end of the court proceedings).  I believe the deadline was a reminder that the dog was in desperate need of a home.  It motivated everyone involved to look harder and faster - what Debo needed the most anyways.  The deadline came and went, and the Dr. did NOT euthanize him (another indication that the date was meant to better Debo's life instead of end it). 

In the end, what people need to remember is that the clinic is a business.  It is not a charity or a shelter.  Even so, Dr. Diehl and his staff care greatly for Debo and his life.  They want what's best for the dog and the business.  I believe the Dr. took Debo's original owners to court to bring some disciplinary action to them for being so irresponsible.  Like I said, the money didn't even come close to allowing Dr. Diehl to make a profit. 

Again, I understand the frustration of the original author, but I think they need to re-evaluate who is truly to blame.  Is it the doctor that saved the dog's life?  Or the original owners that allowed the dog to get Parvo and then suggest it just be killed?

Devo is a pit bull who was left at Alex Bell Vet Clinic in Centerville, OH 3 long years ago after receiving treatment for Parvo.  The owners did not want to pay the bill and requested the dog be euthanized. Instead Dr. Diehl has kept the dog at his clinic for the last 3 years and now that the court case is settled (according to staff) the dog will now be put down on Aug. 1, 2010. When the staff was asked why the dog had not been placed in a foster home the answer centered around the dog had to be kept until the court case was settled. Don't really know the details but that doesn't sound like the whole scoop. The staff all love him but no one is able to take him in. 

Devo now needs to find a home and have the chance to be a real dog. He is a good boy and good with cats but not really well socialized with other dogs.
Devo is not allowed out of the clinic area because of concern for liability in the event he got loose and harmed someone especially since Ohio has BSL laws. He would only be able to leave if someone assumed responsibility for him.
The number  to the clinic is 937-434-7686.