Professional studies - animal abuse

Question 1

What are the 4 types of animal abuse?

Answer 1

Physical
Sexual
Emotional
Neglect

Question 2

What are some examples of physical abuse?

Answer 2

Swinging by tail or limb
Asphyxiation
Drugs
Microwaving
Scalding

Question 3

What are the different types of sexual animal abuse?

Answer 3

Bestiality

Zoophilia

Question 4

What is zoophilia?

Answer 4

Affection or affinity for animals

Question 5

What are some examples of emotional abuse?

Answer 5

Threatening behaviour
Verbal harassment
Animal may take aversive action if it has happened before
Coercive/controlling behaviour

Question 6

Who is responsible for a pet?

Answer 6

Parent/adult is responsible, even if a child under 16 is looking after it

Question 7

What are some things that can be withheld during neglect?

Answer 7

Food and water - both starvation and obesity
Shelter
Vet/med treatment - presenting animal to vet once disease has progressed unreasonably
Affection/companionship

Question 8

What are two synonyms for animal abuse?

Answer 8

Non accidental injury

Battered child/pet syndrome

Question 9

What are some examples of non accidental injury?

Answer 9

Forcible scalding
Cigarette burns
Spiral fractures - swung by a rope

Question 10

What are some diagnostic pointers of non accidental injury?

Answer 10

History inconsistent with injury
Discrepant history - same person each time, but vet team issue, people not communicating
Repetitive injury
Behaviour of parent/child/animal/owner
Certain patterns of injury

Question 11

What are some common behaviours of abused animals?

Answer 11

Subdued/frightened
Behaviour change
Frightened of men
Desperate to please
Freeze

Question 12

What welfare offences are covered by the animal welfare act 2006?

Answer 12

Causing unnecessary suffering
Mutilations
Poisons
Tail docking 
Animal fighting
Duty of care
Transfer of animals by sale or prize

Question 13

What is the definition of suffering?

Answer 13

the bearing or undergoing of pain, distress or tribulation

Question 14

What is the definition of tribulation?

Answer 14

A condition of great affliction, oppression or misery

Question 15

What animals are protected under the animal welfare act?

Answer 15

Any animals that are of a kind commonly domesticated
Any animal that is under the control of man
Any animal that is not living in a wild state - trapped etc.

Question 16

What are magistrates court limited to sentence?

Answer 16

6 months

12 months if multiple offences

Question 17

What are indictable in crown court and how long?

Answer 17

Offences of section 4-8

Max 5 years

Question 18

What is a lack of duty of care?

Answer 18

Failing to meet the needs of the animal to a good standard

Question 19

What are the 5 freedoms?

Answer 19

Need for suitable environment
Suitable diet
Exhibit normal behaviour
Housed with or apart from other animals
Protected from pain/suffering/injury/disease

Question 20

What are the roles of the vet in animal abuse cases?

Answer 20

Define the offences that have occured to the animal
Do a clinical examination - normal and abnormal findings
Attend court to give evidence and give written evidence

Question 21

What does written evidence include?

Answer 21

Your qualification and experience
Declaration of understanding duties
Initial observations
Clinical findings

Question 22

What is section 18(3)?

Answer 22

Permission for euthanasia of the animal

Question 23

What is section 18(5)?

Answer 23

Permission to take possession of the animal

Question 24

What is the definition of forensic veterinary pathology?

Answer 24

The study of disease/injury to an animal and its application to elucidate evidence for the courts

Question 25

What are some differences between diagnostic and forensic post mortems?

Answer 25

Forensic - no history
Take photos
Remove all skin
Special dissection
Full documentation
Retain everything as evidence - tamper proof

Question 26

What are some challenges with forensic pathology?

Answer 26

State of remains
Overinterpretation - keep within area of expertise
Breadth of species
Cost
Emotional connection - make sure to have support and not dwell
Remaining independent, objective, unbiased

Question 27

What should a vet do when the clinical signs dont match the history given by the owner?

Answer 27

Include non-accidental injury in the differential diagnoses

Question 28

What does AVDR stand for?

Answer 28

Ask, validate, document, report/refer

Question 29

When can vets breach confidentiality?

Answer 29

Animal shows signs of abuse
Dangerous dog posing risk to safety
Child/domestic abuse suspected
Unlicensed breeder
Information to help prosecute a crime