Non-accidental injuries in dogs and cats: review of post-mortem forensic assessment and the social significance of small animal practice

The co-existence of animal abuse cases and domestic violence are well established today. Many studies worldwide have identified that pet dogs and cats are commonly harmed or killed by an abuser who may be a member of the family. In fact, the abuse of pets is an indicator that human members of a family are also at risk for interpersonal abuse. The abusers may show a variety of motivations and mental health disorders, resulting in a variety of abuse forms. The animal victims may be presented alive or dead to a veterinary clinic. The post-mortem differential diagnosis and forensic evaluation of pet dogs and cats with non-accidental injuries (NAI), caused by the physical violence of the abuser and items commonly found in a household environment are presented in the current review, according to the main type of abuse: a) blunt force trauma; b) sharp-force injuries; c) gunshot injuries; d) asphyxiation and drowning; e) thermal injuries; and f) poisoning. The recognition and mandatory report of pet cruelty in the family is a complex issue, causing ethical dilemmas for veterinarians concerning professional confidentiality to the client, obligation to protect the human probable victims and the probability of prosecution when the law has been broken. The key-role of veterinarians in the identificationand report of pet abuse to appropriate state authorities for animal and human welfare is discussed. Also, ethical issues are highlighted in this paper.