Does vet have a right to hold records

Hi

I'll keep this as short as possible. I am having a dispute with my vet over a fee - it is a small amount but due to the care given to my animal I have made it clear that I will not be paying this fee and the reasons why. The animal is now quite ill and needs ongoing care. I am moving the care of her to another vet but when the new vet requested my records she was told that as there was a balance outstanding on the account they would not provide copies of the animals records.

Question is - can they do that?

Yes, they own the records and are under no obligation whatsoever to hand them over to another party.