An inquest heard that a talented veterinary doctor took his own life after becoming distressed by wealthy customers who insisted on putting down their pets.
Dr. John Ellis was reportedly upset that people with expensive cars couldn’t afford to help their pets.
According to him, clients who could not afford to have their pets examined often brought them in too late.
During an inquest into the death of her son, Tina Ellis, a local Conservative politician, said that he found it incredibly cruel.
The hearing also revealed that Dr. Ellis was leading a double life, as he was having an affair with his long-term partner. He also tricked a veterinary nurse by saying that he needed to give the medication to put down a large dog.
An inquest held revealed that, at the time of death, Dr. Ellis was experiencing immense stress due to his work and private life.
The court was told that he was working at a veterinary practice near the city when he took his own life in November 2022.
According to his mother, the doctor felt that wealthy customers were leaving it too late to seek help for their pets, as they did not want to risk damaging their reputations by doing something that could have been simple.
He also said that people who were struggling with their finances would do anything they could to save their pets, but they were unable to do so due to the situation.
The hearing also revealed that, during the previous two years, Dr. Ellis had been having an affair with his long-term partner, Ashley James, and with Ryan Hunt.
The director of the veterinary center where the doctor had obtained the drugs that he used to kill himself, said that he was living a double life.
Radiographer Mr James, who was the boyfriend of Dr. Ellis, revealed during the inquest that he was unaware of the doctor’s infidelity until after he had committed suicide.
On November 6, 2022, the day before he killed himself, the doctor informed his friend and his mother that he intended to break up with Mr James.
After reaching the clinic, he informed the nurse that he was given the go signal to kill the dog of one of his friends.
An inquest jury ruled that the lethal dose was enough to kill a large dog. After carrying out the euthanasia, Dr. Ellis went to his friend’s house on holiday in Tenerife.
According to Mr James, who was at the house, Dr. Ellis admitted that he had done something stupid, and he told him that he loved him.
He also called Mr Hunt and told him that he wouldn’t hurt him anymore. After the police were informed about the incident, the doctor was found in the bathroom of his house.
He was taken to a local hospital in Winchester, but he died in the early morning of November 7.
His father, Robert, said that he felt that his son had been given a loaded gun due to the ease with which he could access the medication that killed him. Simon Burge, the assistant coroner, gave a verdict of suicide.
His father said that he was deeply regretful of his son’s actions. He noted that the doctor had been having issues with his long-term partner and his feelings for Ryan Hunt, and he was also suffering from the stress of his residency.