A judge granted a request to postpone the arraignment Wednesday for Dr. Amr Wasfi, a Bridgeport veterinarian charged with animal cruelty.

Dr. Wasfi is the vet at Black Rock Animal Hospital – a practice he opened in 1977. He's accused of performing unnecessary surgery on a dog just to get the fee, and misrepresenting the dog's injuries to his owner.

Jose Valentin says Dr. Wasfi nearly killed his dog – leaving him bloody, scarred and emaciated. An arrest warrant also accuses Wasfi of abusing a kitten.

Though the arraignment was postponed, the judge did appoint an attorney to be the animal advocate and represent the victims in the case.

Members of animal rights group Desmond's Army Animal Law Advocates were also in court. The group’s president says she has been hearing allegations about Dr. Wasfi since 1987.

“This is such a vile breach of trust with the animals, and we have been watching this for years and waiting for somebody, a hero to step forward,” says Zilla Cannamela.

Dr. Wasfi had his veterinarian license revoked by the state in 1996. The Department of Public Health confirms it was reinstated in 2003. Dr. Wasfi was placed on probation for five years, which he successfully completed.

A spokesperson would not comment on the criminal case against him and how that might affect his license. Wasfi's attorney had no comment for News 12.

He is expected to be arraigned on June 7.