The Michigan Department of Community Health has issued a number of administrative complaints against Dr. Donna Huffman Simons. Simons' veterinary license was suspended in May.

The department inspected Simons Veterinary Clinic on Tobias Road in Elmira and found the conditions to be "unsafe and unsanitary." The complaints go as far back as 2001.

Simons' clients have moved their animals to other clinics in Mancelona, Petoskey and Gaylord. The owner of Hall Veterinary Clinic in Gaylord says she is now treating several animals that Simons took care of.

"I'm not quite following the line of thinking on the animals with the treatment or the diagnostics or the medications that were dispensed. It's not by any means consistent with what I've known how to practice with a lot of different ways to handle problems," said Dr. Susan Hall. "Some of the ways she's thinking... I'm not quite sure I understand how that was working."

Documents from the Department of Community Health describe Simons' behavior as "negligent" and "unsanitary." The department says Simons' consistent failure to maintain her clinic shows a "reckless disregard for the health and welfare of patients treated within it."

"My heart goes out to those people who are frustrated and to the animals who may not be getting the treatment they should be getting," Dr. Hall said.

Documents from the department show lack of sanitary conditions including mixing used syringes with new ones and fly strips with dead flies attached next to the surgical tables. Simons is also accused of dispensing expired medication and hiring employees with no veterinary license.

One client 7&4 news spoke with said Simons used duct tape to close a surgical wound. Another client said her dog wasn't diagnosed properly by Simons, and when she went to get a second opinion, it was too late.

Simons is suspended until further notice and she is not admitting or denying the allegations.

She has appealed since the first allegations were made, but a judge denied her appeal. 

The Board of Veterinary Medicine will be making a final decision pending the review of the violations by a judge, which could take a few months. Simons' next hearing is scheduled for August 2nd and again on August 26th.