of traumatic injury and physical abuse of an animal require a swift response and keen interview skills. Because evidence of abuse such as bruising, limping, and wounds can heal quickly, it is important to facilitate veterinary examination of the animal and interview witnesses and suspects as soon as possible after receiving the report. A veterinarian will be able to uncover injuries through examination, X‐ray, and other diagnostics. Their medical record and reports along with photos, videos, and test results can guide the investigator to ask questions that will shed light on the facts that led to the animal's injury or death. Likewise, information the officer gleans from interviewing witnesses and suspects can guide the veterinarian in his or her examination and diagnostic plan.
Nonaccidental injury cases can include drowning, burning, asphyxiation, beating (Figure 3.9), sexual abuse, shooting, and torture. The list is as long as the list of injurious and assault crimes humans commit toward one another. People who commit these crimes toward animals may also be abusing family members or committing other crimes in the community. Many are in need of professional mental health assessment and services. Animal abuse cases should never be set aside because the victim was “just a cat” or the owner “lost their temper,” when disciplining their puppy.
Figure 3.9 There is a well‐established link between animal abuse and other violent crimes.
Source: Oregon Humane Society.
3.12 The Link Between Animal Cruelty and Crimes Against Humans
You have learned about the Five Freedoms and know that animals suffer and feel pain, and you understand these crimes must be investigated on their own merit, but we must also remember that people who willfully harm animals rarely stop there. Results of many studies have established the link between animal cruelty and human crimes. Linked closely to domestic violence, cruelty to animals is now recognized as a valid “predictor crime” of spousal and child abuse [3]. According to a 1983 study, 88% of homes in which child abuse was investigated also had identified instances of abuse of animals within the home [4].
Always be alert to the possibility of other victims in any animal investigation. Abusers frequently harm the family pet as a method of controlling their human victim [5]. These are not uncommon scenarios; they are at play within every community across the nation. By enforcing animal protection laws, in addition to saving the lives of animals, the investigator is disarming the cycle of physical violence within families and communities.
3.13 Emergency Issues
Unfortunately, many animal welfare calls initiate with an animal in crisis. In these cases, it is important the investigator respond with the humane care of the animal foremost in their mind but remembering that their investigation will require them to pay attention to all the elements discussed in this chapter. A livestock animal that is down and unable to stand on its own, or a dog with a gunshot wound, is an example of a case that must be addressed in the moment to provide care to the animal, whether through an emergency aid warrant exception, exigent seizure, or the owner's swift and immediate action. Some counties may allow animal control officers to utilize impoundment in these situations. Regardless of the means, the investigator must ensure that the animal receives care.
It is always more difficult to find resources and create plans in the middle of an emergency. Establish partnerships in animal control, law enforcement, animal rescue and sheltering, and the veterinary community, so when help is needed you will have these contacts available to you.
References
1 1 NRCS (n.d.). Livestock nutrition, husbandry, and behavior. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1043065.pdf (accessed 24 May 2021).
2 2 US FDA (n.d.). Center for veterinary medicine. Product regulation. https://www.fda.gov/animal‐veterinary/animal‐food‐feeds/product‐regulation (accessed 25 May 2021).
3 3 Arluke, A., Levin, J., Luke, C., and Ascione, F. (1999). The relationship of animal abuse to violence and other forms of antisocial behavior. J Interpers. Violence 14 (9): 963–975.
4 4 DeViney, E., Dickert, J., and Lockwood, R.(1983). The care of pets within child abusing families. https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/acwp_awap/15 (accessed 26 May 2021).
5 5 Ascione, F.R., Weber, C.V., Thompson, T.M. et al. (2007). Battered pets and domestic violence: animal abuse reported by women experiencing intimate violence and by nonabused women. Violence Against Women 13 (4): 354–373.
Note
1 1 For example, see Body Condition System. https://www.library.tufts.edu/vet/images/bcs_dog.pdf, accessed 30 May 2021.
4 Initial Investigation and Assessment
Linda Fielder
Cases of animal neglect and abuse may originate with the anonymous report of an owner kicking their dog at the park, or a call of concern for an emaciated cat the next‐door neighbor sees from their window. A veterinarian may report an owner's failure to provide essential medical care for a horse with severe dental issues, or an appliance repair technician may call upon finding birds in horrendous conditions during a service call to the home of an animal hoarder.
Regardless of where a report originates, the resulting investigation is guided by the knowledge of the basic needs of animals, and the application of that knowledge to the animal and its surroundings.
Animal cruelty investigations are often compared to homicide cases because of one important shared element: the victim cannot speak as a witness to the crime. Because of this, the investigator shoulders the responsibility of assembling the evidence thoroughly and precisely, through use of all his senses, through photographs and documentation, research, and interviews to piece together the elements of the crime and work the case through from report to resolution.
4.1 Types of Reports
Reports of concern for an animal's welfare generally fall into one or more of the following categories:
Emaciated animal(s)
Inhumane/inadequate living conditions
Injured or ill, lacking veterinary care
Physical abuse or killing of animal(s)
Animal fighting
Sexual abuse of animal(s)
Overworking
