Dayna Johnson struck off after stealing drugs from multiple vet clinics and displaying unprofessional behaviour during surgeries.

A veterinary nurse from Bristol has been struck off after being found guilty of repeatedly stealing drugs intended for animals and displaying unprofessional conduct during surgeries. Dayna Johnson’s actions were deemed a serious breach of veterinary ethics, with the disciplinary committee ruling her unfit to practice.

Johnson, who worked at four different veterinary practices over a period of five years, was found to have stolen drugs, including methadone and buprenorphine, from the clinics. Her behaviour, which occurred on five separate occasions, was described as sustained and repeated by the committee.

During her time at Yatton Vets in September 2023, Johnson, while assisting in a dental surgery, appeared lethargic and nearly fell asleep on a spaniel. When questioned by a colleague, she attributed her condition to nervousness from starting a new job and lack of sleep. Despite this, her performance deteriorated, with Johnson failing to write legible notes and nearly collapsing on the animal during the procedure.

The following month, Johnson was caught stealing buprenorphine from the Bristol PDSA Pet Hospital, where she had started working after her previous job offer was rescinded due to earlier theft charges. She lied to her colleagues, claiming another surgeon had authorised the drug for the dog. In addition to this, she had previously stolen methadone while working at Vets4Pets in December 2022.

At Langford Small Animal Hospital in August 2023, Johnson’s inappropriate behaviour escalated when she was caught taking a syringe of methadone that was intended for a cocker spaniel’s joint surgery. A colleague observed Johnson’s erratic behaviour and witnessed her intentionally knocking the syringe to the floor before replacing it with another syringe filled with an unknown substance.

Johnson’s actions, which put both animal welfare and colleague trust at risk, were condemned by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, which stressed the importance of honesty, integrity, and responsible drug use in the profession. The committee found that Johnson’s actions breached the fundamental principles of veterinary care, including the promotion of animal welfare and the responsible use of controlled substances.

In December 2023, Johnson pleaded guilty to theft by employee and was fined. Despite being given a conditional caution by the police, she continued to steal drugs from her workplace. Following the ruling, she has been officially banned from practising as a veterinary nurse, bringing an end to her career in animal care.