The College of Veterinarians of British Columbia is mandated to regulate the practice of veterinary medicine in British Columbia in the public interest. The College regulates the veterinary profession in accordance with the Veterinarians Act and the College’s Bylaws.

The College takes concerns related to the practice of veterinary medicine, and the conduct of registrants, seriously. The College may investigate a complaint or initiate an investigation on its own initiative into a matter that gives rise to concern about a veterinarian’s practice of veterinary medicine. More information about the College’s complaints and investigations process can be found here: https://www.cvbc.ca/public-protection/complaints-process/.

Following an investigation, the College may take disciplinary action if there are sufficient grounds to believe that a veterinarian has failed to comply with the Veterinarians Act or the College’s Bylaws or Professional Practice Standards, or to have committed professional misconduct or conduct unbecoming a veterinarian.  Depending on the circumstances, this may include the conduct of a veterinarian outside of the workplace. 

The College is aware of a decision of the British Columbia Court of Appeal regarding the criminal conviction and sentencing of Dr. Justin Sewell, a veterinarian registered with the College. Dr. Sewell is currently serving a sentence of incarceration of 33 months less one day. The College investigated this matter under the Veterinarians Act, and the College’s Investigation Committee directed the Registrar to issue a citation to Dr. Sewell. The citation sets out allegations against Dr. Sewell and its issuance initiated the discipline hearing process under the Veterinarians Act.

On June 8, 2026, the hearing of the allegations contained in the citation occurred before a panel of the College’s Discipline Committee.  At the conclusion of the hearing, the Panel held that all of the allegations contained in the citation had been proved. A copy of the citation can be found here. The Panel has directed that a hearing be convened to address the issue of penalty for the proven misconduct of Dr. Sewell. A date for the penalty hearing has not been set. The Panel will issue written reasons in this case following the penalty hearing.

Updates regarding the discipline hearing of this matter, including the date chosen for the penalty hearing, will be posted on the College’s website. Subject to limited circumstances, the College publishes Discipline Committee decisions on its website and expects to do so in this case once the Panel issues its reasons.