State authorities have accused a longtime Kalamazoo veterinarian of abusing and neglecting animals, part of a series of charges sparked by complaints from ex-employees and animal owners.

Steven Ginsberg, a doctor of veterinary medicine who practices at Crestview Animal Hospital, 6044 Gull, faces possible reprimand and suspension or loss of his license to practice, based on the outcome of a five-count complaint filed by the state attorney general.

Ginsberg, a vet here for more than 30 years, has until Sept. 25 to respond to the state allegations. If he fails to do so, he would be subject to sanctions by state licensing officials.

Ginsberg did not respond to a Kalamazoo Gazette reporter's message left at his office on Tuesday. Last fall, a former employee accused Ginsberg of punching a severely wounded dog at his clinic. A pet owner sued Ginsberg after his dog strangled in a cage while in the vet's kennel, and other former employees and pet owners added complaints.

"We should not permit animal abuse from any human, whether they have a license hanging on the wall or not," said Lisa Tabor, a former Crestview Animal Hospital employee.

Ginsberg last year told the Gazette he hit a dog in the chest with an open hand while trying to force the animal to lie down. He termed the strangulation death of another dog "a terrible accident" but denied abusing or neglecting animals.

He also blamed Tabor for the state investigation, saying she was upset he fired her after a week on the job.

The incidents prompted a two-tiered investigation, with state officials probing complaints geared toward Ginsberg's license and Kalamazoo County sheriff's deputies reviewing possible criminal violations.

Sheriff's investigators expect to forward their case to the county prosecutor's office soon, Detective Sgt. Rick Green said.

The state combined seven separate complaints into the charges against Ginsberg, which include:

Allegedly allowing unlicensed personnel to treat animals; failing to maintain clinic hygiene, including failing to sterilize dental instruments and syringes after use; using "super glue" during cat declawing procedures; dispensing expired drugs and medication to animals; abusing and neglecting animals; and failing to timely euthanize some animals.

"(The complaint) is usually followed by an informal settlement conference," said Howard Marderosian, assistant attorney general, Health Professionals Division. "It's an opportunity for the parties to get together to see if the case can be settled."

If a settlement isn't reached, an administrative law judge could be Called upon to decide the case.

Marderosian declined comment when asked whether the charges indicate serious problems with Ginsberg's practice, or if they were relatively minor matters that should not scare off his customers.

"Someone taking their pet there should take a look at the allegations and come to their own conclusions," he said.

MIKE TYREE can be reached at 616-388-8413.