The local veterinary community is in shock following news that Dr. William M. Thomas, the face of Midtown Veterinary Clinic for over three decades, has passed away. The Kern County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the death on December 26, only weeks after the popular vet was arrested on a series of high level felony charges. While the death is confirmed, investigators are still working to determine the exact cause and manner of his passing.
A Career Interrupted by Serious Felony Charges
Dr. Thomas had been a staple in Newbury Park for more than 30 years, earning a reputation for his dedicated care of local animals. However, his professional life was eclipsed on December 11 when he was taken into custody. By December 18, he was facing 21 gun related felony counts and one misdemeanor count of domestic battery.
The firearms charges were particularly severe, including 15 counts of possessing an assault rifle and four counts of possessing short barreled rifles or shotguns.
The investigation into Thomas also revealed the possession of a silencer and allegations that he had transferred or sold firearms privately without a license. Despite the gravity of the charges, he was released on $100,000 bail in the early hours of December 12. His sudden death in Kern County has now left many of his long term clients reeling as they struggle to reconcile the "hero" vet they knew with the man described in court records.
Community Reaction and Unanswered Questions
News of the arrest and subsequent death has triggered a wave of conflicting reactions online. While some former clients described Thomas as brusque or difficult to deal with, many others shared emotional stories of how he saved their pets' lives during emergencies. His clinic biography painted a picture of a man who loved the outdoors and his three dogs, a far cry from the serious legal trouble that defined his final days.
Because the case was still in its early stages, a Feb. 26 abatement hearing has been set to officially close the matter in the eyes of the court. Since the case was never litigated or brought to trial, Dr. Thomas will not have a criminal conviction on his record. For now, the Midtown Veterinary Clinic remains in a state of transition as the community waits for final word from the medical examiner regarding the circumstances of his death.