Former humane society official alleges 3600 tablets of Vicodin for her dog?

A former humane society official told federal investigators that she obtained 3,600 tablets of the prescription painkiller Vicodin for her dog, authorities allege.

Stacy Steel, 38, was arrested Monday for investigation of obtaining controlled substances by fraud, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. She resigned on March 25 from her $95,000-a-year job as executive director of the North County Humane Society's Oceanside animal shelter.

Dan Simmons, a special agent with the DEA, alleged that Steel directed Humane Society workers to order 36 bottles of Vicodin between October 2005 and February 2006.

Jennifer Stewart, a veterinarian who served as the interim Humane Society director from 2001 to 2003, said DEA investigators indicated to her that her drug registration number had been used to order the Vicodin. Stewart said she told investigators that she had revoked permission for the agency to use her number when she left in 2003.

"I can't imagine (Steel) would be using (Vicodin) for her dog, and I don't know why she would be self-medicating her dog without the care of a licensed veterinarian," Stewart said.

Steel referred all questions to her attorney, Peter Liss.

"We plan on having this case heard in a court of law and nowhere else," Liss said Wednesday.

Steel is scheduled to be arraigned on April 17 in San Diego Superior Court.