(a) Class “A” violations involve a person who has violated a statute or regulation substantially related to the practice of veterinary medicine but has not caused either death or harm to an animal patient and has not presented a substantial probability that death or serious harm to an animal patient could result from the violation. A class “A” violation is subject to a civil penalty in an amount not less than two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) and not exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000) for each citation.

(b) Class “B” violations involve a person who has violated a statute or regulation relating to the practice of veterinary medicine and either (1) has caused harm to an animal patient, or (2) has presented a substantial probability that death or serious harm to an animal patient could result from the violation, or (3) has committed a violation which meets the criteria for a class “A” violation and has two or more prior citations for a class “A” violation within the 5-year period immediately preceding the act serving as the basis for the citation. However, the increase in the civil penalty required by this subsection shall not be due and payable unless and until the actions to enforce the previous citations have been terminated in favor of the board. A class “B” violation is subject to a civil penalty in an amount not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and not exceeding four thousand dollars ($4,000) for each citation.

(c) Class “C” violations involve a person who (1) has caused death or serious harm to an animal patient, or (2) has committed a violation that has endangered the health or safety of another person or animal, or (3) has committed multiple violations that show a willful disregard of the law, or (4) has committed a violation that meets the criteria for a class “B” violation within the 5-year period immediately preceding the act serving as the basis for the citation. However, the increase in the civil penalty required in this subsection shall not be due and payable unless and until the actions to enforce the previous citations have been terminated in favor of the board. A class “C” violation is subject to a civil penalty in an amount not less than two thousand dollars ($2,000) and not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each citation.

(d) In assessing the amount of a civil penalty, the executive officer shall consider the following criteria:

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in all situations involving unlicensed persons practicing veterinary medicine, the citation shall be a class “C” violation, and the civil penalty shall be in an amount no less than two thousand dollars ($2,000) and not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each citation as defined in subsection (c) above.

(f) Every citation that is issued pursuant to this article shall be considered a public document. Citations that have been resolved, by payment of the civil penalty or compliance with the order of abatement, shall be purged five (5) years from the date of resolution, unless the licensee is subject to formal discipline within five (5) years immediately following the citation order, at which time the citation may become part of the permanent enforcement record. A citation that has been withdrawn or dismissed shall be purged immediately upon withdrawal or dismissal.

(g) An order of abatement issued pursuant to section 4875.2 of the Code shall fix a reasonable time for abatement of the violation. An order of abatement may require any or all of the following: