The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has suspended an Aberdeenshire-based vet surgeon for offences relating to cows owned by his father.

The disciplinary committee of the RCVS ruled that James Dean Gracey's conduct risked undermining procedures designed to promote public health and animal welfare and was also in part dishonest.

The RCVS has suspended the vet for a period of six months.

Gracey was found guilty in respect of five charges in relation to cows owned by his father. These were:

Hazel Bentall, chair of the disciplinary committee, said the committee concluded that there was "serious professional misconduct" from Gracey, as he had "failed to meet the necessary high standards of honesty and transparency".

"In particular the fact that there were four separate events relating to animal welfare and public health was significant when considering what sanction to impose," she said.

"The respondent’s conduct on four occasions in respect of four animals and three conflicts of interest called into question his competence in relation to completing such forms."