Fur Flies in Dueling Olney Veterinarian Lawsuits

A lawsuit filed by Salt Creek Veterinary Hospital against a former employee has escalated into a broader fight over non-compete agreements and access to veterinary care in rural North Texas.

Salt Creek sued Dr. Mariah Fischer in May, alleging she violated a three-year, 30-mile non-compete clause by launching Fischer Mobile Veterinary Services shortly before resigning in 2024. The clinic claims Fischer used client information and solicited its customers.

Dr. Fischer denies wrongdoing and argues the restrictions are unenforceable under Texas law. In her counterclaim, Dr. Fischer said enforcing the non-compete would worsen the region’s veterinarian shortage, warning that “livestock animals will die while they are waiting for veterinary care that does not come in time” if vets are blocked from practicing locally.

The dispute widened in July when Dr. Jamie Foster, another former Salt Creek veterinarian, petitioned to intervene. Dr. Foster claims she was fired with only three days’ notice, violating her contract, and that Salt Creek is using “standard” non-compete clauses to dominate the regional veterinary market. She noted that state and federal programs—including Texas’s Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program—recognize Young and Archer counties as underserved.

Salt Creek has asked the court to remove Dr. Foster from the case, saying her dispute is unrelated, but Dr. Fischer and Dr. Foster argue their cases involve nearly identical non-compete agreements and raise the same legal questions.

Dr. Fischer’s defense also disputes Salt Creek’s measurement of the 30mile radius, saying her clinic is 32.4 miles away by driving distance, which could place it outside the restricted zone.

A hearing on the case and competing injunction requests is expected in the coming weeks. Dr. Fischer’s and Dr. Foster’s attorney, Dan Branum, declined to comment on the proceedings.

Attorney David Rapp of Weatherford, who represents Salt Creek, had no comment on the case.