Accused fake Akron veterinarian will go to trial on September 11

AKRON, Ohio - A Sharon Township woman accused of pretending to be a veterinarian at an Akron animal hospital will stand trial on Sept. 11.

The trial date was set during a hearing for Brandi Tomko, 35, in Summit County Common Pleas Court on Monday morning. The judge also added five additional counts to the 33-count indictment Tomko is already facing. The charges relate to treating and operating on animals at C&D Animal Hospital in Akron.

Two pet owners who said Tomko's treatment caused their pets' death were also at Monday morning's court hearing. Akron residents Kenny Reymann and Bob McGee said it is difficult to sit in the courtroom with Tomko.

McGee is an injured Persian Gulf was veteran who said Tomko led to the death of his service dog, Allie. Reymman sparked the investigation into Tomko when he complained that she was to blame for his dog Charlie's death.

Supporters of Nitro's Law, a proposed Ohio law that makes a animal cruelty charge a felony for kennel owners and employees, protested outside the hearing. They said they want to raise awareness that animal cruelty is a misdemeanor on the first offense in Ohio.

Tomko has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. She remains out on bond.