An out-of-hours vet has been kicked out of the profession for leaving a seriously injured dog in agony after she was run over on a farm.

The 14-year-old Labrador cross, called Mitzi, was left suffering for well over an hour when locum Munhuwepasi Chikosi told the owner he could not visit because he was looking after other animals.

Chikosi was working as a locum at the Vets Now out-of-hours emergency service in Barton when Mitzi’s owner telephoned and asked for a home visit so the dog could be put down.

But the vet said he could not make it to the farm, which was only 10 or 15 minutes away, and asked for Mitzi to be wrapped in a blanket and driven to the surgery on September 9, 2011.

When Mitzi’s owner tried to move her into a Land Rover the distressed animal bit his son, prompting another call to the practice.

Chikosi then said he could get another vet to visit “probably in the next hour or two," the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons heard.

Instead of going himself, he then waited another hour until a second surgeon arrived at the out-of-hours service.

After a two-day hearing the RCVS panel decided his conduct fell below that expected of a vet and struck him off.

“The committee is satisfied that the delay caused Mitzi unnecessary suffering, which was evidenced by her uncharacteristically biting her owner’s son,” said Professor Peter Lees, who chaired the panel.

“Her owner had recognised the severity of the injuries and the need for euthanasia as soon as was practicable.”

Professor Lees added: “Mr Chikosi’s failure to attend a seriously injured dog promptly in the circumstances described falls far short of the conduct to be expected of a reasonably competent veterinary surgeon.”

The committee found Chikosi made no efforts to find out whether Mitzi was in a fit condition to be moved.

His advice on moving the dog was judged to be wrong.

The committee found that although Chikosi was the only vet at the practice at the time, there were no critical cases and a qualified nurse was on hand.