An administrative law judge has recommended that Dr. Margaret Ferrell, veterinarian at the Alabama Spay/Neuter Clinic in Irondale, be found not guilty on all charges filed against her by the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.

The ASBVME charged Ferrell with 30 counts of misconduct. One was dropped during the hearing, and Judge James Jerry Wood recommended the ASBVME dismiss the other 29 charges.

"This has been an excruciatingly difficult and stressful time for my family, co-workers, and me," wrote Ferrell in an email sent out late Wednesday. "There were many sleepless nights and fears along the way, and while I will never be able to regain the countless hours of my life this consumed, I'm ready to close this chapter and move on."

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Ironically, Ferrell was appointed to the Veterinary Medical Examiners Board by Gov. Robert Bentley last year. She took her position in October, but these charges have loomed over her. Because Ferrell performs high-volume, high-quality spay/neuters at the clinic, she was even accused by the ASBVME of rejecting her Auburn education, which teaches traditional spay and neuter surgeries.

"At this time, the board has not yet met to discuss Judge Wood's recommendation," Ferrell wrote in her email. "I am hopeful I will be allowed to continue dedicating my skills and knowledge to help reduce the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable pets by providing affordable spay and neuter surgery."

The ASBVME has set a special meeting for Jan. 16, presumably to discuss Judge Wood's recommendation.

How this decision may impact the ASBVME's earlier ruling -- which it made without an administrative law judge -- against Dr. William Weber, the veterinarian who, on the record, owns the practice at the Alabama Spay/Neuter Clinic, is unclear. Weber is appealing a decision by the ASBVME to suspend his license for one year and fine him $5,000. Weber continues to practice during his appeal.

Some former members of the ASBVME have tried to shut down nonprofit spay/neuter clinics for years because they view them as unfair competition. Former ASBVME chair Robert Pitman, whom Ferrell replaced, and former one-term board member Ronald Welch were especially determined to shut the clinics. Neither has ever visited Alabama Spay/Neuter Clinic or observed Weber or Ferrell doing surgery.

We'll have an interview with Dr. Ferrell and more details, including the complete ruling by Judge Wood, later this morning.