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Owner Of Md. Animal Rehab Center Charged For Animal Cruelty

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A Calvert County man who operates an animal rehabilitation center on his property has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty and practicing veterinary medicine without a license.

Last August, Maryland Natural Resources received a tip about 68-year-old Ronald Gene Wexler and his facility, Orphaned Wildlife Rescue Center Inc.

Police, along with state wildlife veterinarians and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, performed a search of Wexler's center and found numerous injured animals, many of which should have been euthanized due to the extent of their injuries.

Charging documents say Wexler performed surgery on ospreys and a black rat snake and acknowledged operating on other animals, as well. He told officers it was not cost effective to send every animal he admitted to his center to an independent veterinarian.

Police also found several drugs, such as, Oxycodone, Demerol and Fentanyl, that Wexler didn't have a license or prescription to legally possess.

Wexler, who goes by the nickname "Doc" faces charges for illegal drugs, animal cruelty and practicing veterinary medicine without a license.

Each of the 12 drug charges carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison and a fine of $25,000. Each animal cruelty charge carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Practicing veterinary medicine without a license has a maximum penalty of a $5,000 fine.

He is scheduled to appear in court on August 8.

The center's website says it was founded in 1990 and operates "a strict no-kill policy." It also says the center "receives and helps rescue over 1,600 animals a year with a 94% success rate due to the efforts of dedicated veterinarians and volunteers."

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