A longtime Selma veterinarian has given up his license after a state inspection found filthy, unsafe conditions at a Fresno County clinic and a trail of pet owners claiming their animals were harmed. The case focuses on South County Veterinary Hospital and Dr. Rodney Ken Hatayama, whose practice is now at the center of a formal Accusation by state regulators that points to years of problems, including surgeries that owners say left their pets in lasting pain.
Inspection report details
According to the California Veterinary Medical Board, an August 16, 2022 inspection of South County Veterinary Hospital documented 25 separate violations. Investigators reported poor ventilation, cluttered and dirty rooms and dead neonatal puppies stored in open buckets inside a freezer. The board’s report describes sinks, wet tables and countertops piled with trash along with used endotracheal tubes, scalpel blades and syringes, and notes that expired or misbranded medications were stored next to food and biologicals. Those findings were incorporated into the board’s enforcement listing for the case and helped spur formal disciplinary action.
A dog called Mr. Tillman
The complaint that helped set the investigation in motion traces back to a 2015 orthopedic surgery on a Chihuahua named Mr. Tillman, whose owner says the dog was left in chronic pain. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, court records allege that Hatayama used a non peer reviewed drilling and wiring technique and did not prescribe post operative pain medication. Mr. Tillman later needed multiple corrective surgeries. The Times also reported that Hatayama surrendered his license on January 31, 2026, after the board moved to revoke it effective January 30. The dog’s owner told the paper, “If you see something, don’t stay silent,” and described ongoing mobility issues and worsening arthritis.
Board accusation and what it alleges
The California Veterinary Medical Board filed a formal Accusation against Hatayama on April 1, 2025, alleging negligence, inhumane treatment, incompetence and failure to maintain minimum standards for a licensed veterinary premises. The administrative filing lists specific regulatory violations that the board says put animal patients at risk and justify discipline. The board’s enforcement page includes the case among its 2025 disciplinary actions and identifies the regulations cited in support of the charges. More information is available from the California Veterinary Medical Board.
How owners can report concerns
Pet owners who suspect negligence or unsafe conditions are urged to file detailed complaints, including medical records, invoices and any witness statements, so state investigators can decide whether to open a formal case. The board recommends using the state’s online BreEZe portal to submit complaints and upload supporting documents. The board’s consumer information pages explain how cases are screened and outline possible outcomes, which can range from a citation to a full investigation. BreEZe.
