to poor husbandry, improper diet, or underlying medical and/or behavioral conditions.
Figure 2.5 Captive birds may develop feather picking behaviors owing to stress, diet, or underlying health concerns.
Source: Oregon Humane Society.
2.5.7 Poultry
Poultry refers to species of birds primarily raised for meat or egg laying. These include chickens, geese, turkeys, ducks, and quail. Poultry are typically fed commercial pelleted feed or grains, which are often supplemented with fresh vegetables or table scraps. Poultry require access to fresh water. They are often housed in groups but should not be so overcrowded that they cannot move about easily, as overcrowding contributes to disease, cannibalism, and injury. Enclosures should be free of hazards that could cause injury and should protect the birds from overheating or freezing. Poultry can suffer from viral and infectious diseases and parasites. They may also experience medical emergencies related to retained eggs, viral or infectious diseases, and parasites. All avian species may carry reportable diseases that require coordination with government agencies.
2.5.8 Reptiles
This is a large group of cold‐blooded animals and includes snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises. Most snakes and some lizards and turtles are carnivores or insectivores, while iguanas and land tortoises are vegetarian. Every species of reptile eats a slightly different diet. For reptiles who eat prey, the size of the reptile determines the size of the prey they should be fed. Most snakes kept as pets are fed mice or rats of varying sizes, while smaller snakes and lizards are fed a variety of insects. These “feeder animals” are available at most pet shops and by mail order and may be fed live or frozen. Many types of lizards require fresh greens in addition to their insect diet. Because of their slow metabolism, adult snakes may only eat once every two or three weeks. Smaller or younger snakes need to eat more often, usually twice a week. Most lizards and herbivorous reptiles need to eat every day. Reptiles require constant access to fresh, potable water. Reptiles must have a habitat that provides the heat and light that mimics their native ecosystem. To a reptile, proper heat and light is as essential as food and water. Reptile enclosures need to offer a temperature gradient, with a warm area for the animal to bask and increase its body temperature and a cooler area to mimic the shade. As cold‐blooded animals, they rely on external sources for body heat and will die without the proper enclosure temperature. Additionally, without adequate heat support, many species of reptiles (Figure 2.6) cannot properly digest their food. Heating options for enclosures include under‐tank warming mats, electrical heated basking stones, basking lights, and ceramic heating element bulbs. Aside from heat, some reptiles need ultraviolet (UV) light. This wavelength of light is necessary for calcium metabolism. In enclosures without UV light, reptiles often develop debilitating bone diseases, loss of muscle function, and altered metabolism. The reptile habitat should be free from hazards, excess waste, and spoiled food. It should provide a hiding and sleeping area and appropriate climbing accessories for the species. Many reptiles are susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections, which can cause painful ulcers. It can be very difficult to recognize serious illnesses and disease conditions in reptiles, and whenever possible investigations involving reptiles should include a veterinarian familiar with treating them. Poor husbandry and diet commonly lead to a variety of medical conditions, including dysecdysis (improper shedding) and metabolic bone disease, which can lead to brittle bones that break easily.
Figure 2.6 Inadequate lighting and heat in reptile enclosures can lead to skeletal diseases and nutritional deficiencies.
Source: Oregon Humane Society.
2.5.9 Unusual Exotics
Monkeys, large cats, wildlife, and animals typically seen in zoos are also discovered as “pets” when investigating animal cruelty. Laws at both the state and federal level may apply to these animals, in addition to laws applicable to the care and husbandry of all animals. Unusual exotic animals are rarely domesticated and can be difficult and dangerous to assess and handle. The owner is responsible for providing a diet appropriate for the species in type, quality, and quantity. They should have access to clean, potable water. They should not be subjected to extreme temperatures or temperatures the species is not adapted to. Enclosures should be secure, free of hazards and waste, provide shelter and shade, and room and accessories designed for the animal to exercise and express its natural behaviors. Wild exotic animals are especially prone to stress‐induced behaviors in captivity such as self‐injury, fighting, and cannibalizing cage mates and offspring. When approaching cases involving exotic wild animals, include other agencies with oversight such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and state fish and wildlife agencies. Arrange for experts such as zoologists or zoo veterinarians to assist with all handling, capture, and assessment of these animals.
2.6 Basics That Apply to All Animals
Another basic requirement that applies to all animals, regardless of the species, is the understanding that veterinary care is required to relieve an animal's suffering. Any sick or injured horse, ferret, turtle, or animal of any species that is injured, sick, and suffering must be offered relief through medical care, treatment, or euthanasia.
Any animal that is old, disabled, pregnant, nursing, or juvenile may require special care due to their weakened or debilitated state (Figure 2.7). Owners are required to provide that care so that animals with these types of special needs do not suffer. In simple terms, the minimum care required for animals at a specific life stage or condition is often over and above what would be considered adequate or minimum care for an average healthy adult animal of the same species. Examples of provisions that must be made for these animals might include extra calories and supplements, reinforced shelter or additional heat support, and padded stalls or bedding to prevent pressure sores or provide for parturition and raising young.
Figure 2.7 Animals in a weakened or debilitated state require veterinary care to address pain and suffering.
Source: Oregon Humane Society.
Some cases, like cockfighting and farmed animal investigations, require coordination with the State Veterinarian whose role is to consider public health risks from zoonotic diseases (transferable from animals to humans). Diseases such as avian influenza, brucellosis, and rabies carry a risk to humans and testing or reporting may be warranted.
2.7 Putting Your Basic Knowledge to Work
Rely on your knowledge of animal basics to inform you when you approach an animal cruelty investigation. If an animal looks ill or injured, call on what you know about the required minimum care of animals and start to identify what is missing. At the beginning stages of an investigation, it is not required that you know what exact disease, injury, or illness an animal is suffering from, only that the animal is suffering or not being provided shelter, nutrition,
