In any normal circumstances, you would be absolutely correct, Jack. It's actually illegal to NOT euthanize an animal if a client has signed the papers and dropped them off for that reason, regardless of how you feel about it, or if you think it could be treated easily. All you can do is refuse to euthanize and suggest they go elsewhere, but you cannot agree to put down an animal and then not do it. This guy and this vet, however, have been best friends and business partners in kenneling and advertising for going on twenty years, and he knew that the breeder would have no use for her now (his wife keeps damned corgies as house pets, so even that was out) so he made that decision, which my friend was very happy about. If, after he had performed the last surgery, the owner had been upset about the situation and demanded that the dog be put down, our vet would have done it, but since there is so much history there, he did what he knew our friend would be fine with. But yes, in any normal client-veterinary relationship, it would be extremely unethical.