Animal Cruelty - Dr. Horn Flashcards
The link
“violence against animals is considered both a potential indictor and predictor or concurrent or future child maltreatment, domestic violence, and elder abuse” and mistreatment is no longer an isolated event and is often a predictor or red flag to other violence.
Reasons people are cruel to animals
- control over a person close to the animal
- retaliation
- animal fighting for sport/money
- target practice
- shock factor - attention getting device
- displaced aggression
- sexual gratification
- acting out abuse they have suffered
Percent of people in abuse cases that had an animal threatened or hurt by an abuser
71%
__% - __% of women entering a safe home put off escape due to an animal they didn’t want to leave behind
18-42
Process of assessment and intake
1) observe
2) exam
3) record - story may change KEEP TRACT OF STORY
4) contact investigator and veterinarian
5) know and follow protocols
Importance of caretakers of animals
They are the eyes and ears for this animal and its case and their voice. Make sure we are sticking to the plan created by the veterinarian specific to their case.
What is a tech’s job?
- safe restraint for exams
- photo evidence
- provide prescribed treatment
- forensic necropsy
- diagnostics
Veterinarian as an expert witness
- examine, diagnose, develop treatment plans
- write formal reports
- testify to facts
- offer opinions on evidence
- answer hypothetical questions - cannot do this as a traditional witness
- help to a higher standard since they are interpreting information
How is someone considered to be an expert witness?
Testimony - must be reliable, qualified, relevant
Types of experts - fact witness, opinion expert, consulting expert
Type of cruelty or intentional abuse
trauma (blunt/sharp force trauma) burning choking drowning firearm poisoned fighting sexual assault
What makes abuse “intentional”?
Done knowingly and intentionally. The act is direct, personal, and action focused. Usually done by someone close to the animal. Example: intentional abuse versus elderly person who is not remembering to properly care for an animal
Neglect
Failure to provide for an animal’s mental and physical well being. Omission or commission. Can include other needs such as social, emotional, enrichment –> defined as other care.
Difference between abuse and neglect
Abuse is more purposeful whereas neglect is a failure to care for the animal
Other care…
defined differently from state to state. Can include veterinary care, social, emotional, enrichment, etc.
Veterinary care defined
vaccinations, parasite control, dental care, grooming, exercise