SAGINAW, MI -- The building that housed her practice condemned months ago, a Saginaw veterinarian now has had her license summarily suspended by the state.

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs also served an accompanying administrative complaint on Dr. Virginia Ann Leis, accusing her of withdrawing controlled substances from her facility's inventory -- including Buprenorphine, Tramadol, and Dolorex - for her own use. All three substances are opioids, with Dolorex only approved for use on animals.

Leis has not been criminally charged with any wrongdoing. She could not be reached immediately for comment by The Saginaw News.

Cheryl Wykoff Pezon, director of LARA, on Oct. 9 signed the suspension order against Leis. The order states that after LARA personnel consulted with the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine and determined the public health, safety, and welfare required emergency action.

Leis practiced out of Agawa Companion Animal Hospital, 2737 Davenport Ave. in Saginaw.

In April, Saginaw County Animal Control received a complaint that Leis was abusing or neglecting animals in her care and was displaying bizarre behavior, was mistreating staff, had failed to pay bills, and was using substances intended for animals.

Animal Control personnel and Saginaw police officers on April 13 executed a search warrant on the facility. They seized a combined 15 dogs, cats, and reptiles, as well as several controlled substances found in Leis' sleeping area.

The building ended up condemned.

Police interviewed Leis the day they executed the warrants. She told them she had diverted medications meant for animals on a daily basis, LARA alleges.

In October 2002, the state's Department of Community Health executed an administrative complaint against Leis based on accusations of unsanitary conditions at her clinic, failure to provide adequate controls against theft and diversion, and failure to maintain an accurate inventory of controlled substances.

The following year, Leis entered the Health Professional Recovery Program. She was placed on probation for two years and fined $1,000.

In May 2006, the Department of Community Health issued another complaint against Leis based on her dispensing controlled substances and not reporting it properly. That December, she was placed on probation for another year and fined an additional $1,000.

An order of summary suspension is a temporary measure to protect the public and not a final determination that a licensee has violated the Public Health Code.

Leis has 30 days from the receipt of the complaint to respond and show her compliance with all lawful requirements for retention of her license. If she does not respond in that period, LARA will treat it as an admission of the allegations.

LARA encourages all concerned residents, patients, parents and peers to file complaints against licensed health professionals who may allegedly be risking public health, safety or welfare. For more information on filing a complaint with the department, visit Michigan.gov/BPL or review the Citizen's Guide to Filing a Complaint.