Veterinary Forensics for Live and Deceased Animals

VETERINARY FORENSICS FOR LIVE AND DECEASED ANIMALS

INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATIONS
There are numerous situations that may qualify as animal cruelty depending on the governing laws: starvation, dehydration, untreated medical problems, failure to provide relief from extreme environmental conditions, hoarding, embedded collars, physical or sexual abuse, poisoning, animal fighting, and so on. Physical abuse cases often have neglect as a component of the crime. Animal cruelty is basically any action or lack of action that results in unjustifiable or unnecessary suffering, illness, injury or death of an animal. It is important that veterinarians have an understanding of the animal cruelty laws to they can respond appropriately and assist the investigators and prosecutors in the potential case. […]