BARRY vet Maurice Kirk was rapped by the disciplinary committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons this week for his "attitude and conduct" in his recent hearings which eventually saw him struck off.

The committee found "disgraceful conduct" had been proved after the vet had been repeatedly convicted for various offences and accused of misconduct for his behaviour and attitude while treating an injured dog at The Knap beach when he acted in an "aggressive or angry" manner.

Giving reasons for the decision to order him to be struck off, the committee said in a written report: "Because of Mr Kirk's attitude and conduct in this case, these whole proceedings have become unnecessarily complex."

Mr Kirk, 56, was registered at The Marlpits, St Donats, Llantwit Major, and practised at the Barry Veterinary Hospital, 49-53 Tynewydd Road, Barry. He says he intends to appeal and if this fails he will go to the European Court.

The committee said: "It is apparent that in almost every case of conviction to which our attention has been drawn, he has not only appealed, but brought proceedings for judicial review."

The hearing took eight days, spread from January 29 to May 29.

"In addition the legal assessor has sat on two separate occasions in chambers hearings, one of which lasted the best part of a day."

The list of convictions, including failing to prevent the deposit of controlled waste such as hypodermic syringes and needles, used swabs and animal waste in a public place, was an example of "marked irresponsibility" in basic management of a practice, the committee said.

They concluded: "It seems quite obvious to this committee that Mr Kirk has no intention, and is possibly not capable, of altering his behaviour."