Title: Large Animal Cruelty Investigation Training Animal Cruelty Investigation Flow Chart
1Large Animal Cruelty Investigation
TrainingAnimal Cruelty Investigation Flow Chart
- Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS
- Professor and Extension Program Leader for
Veterinary Medicine - Texas AgriLife Extension Service
- Texas AM System
2Initial Observation of Animals
1. Are dead animals present? Yes Consult a
local veterinarian for assistance. No Go to
step 2. 2. Are ALL animals in abnormal physical
condition?
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4Initial Observation of Animals
1. Are dead animals present? Yes Consult a
local veterinarian for assistance. No Go to
step 2. 2. Are ALL animals in abnormal physical
condition?
5Physical Examination of Animals
- Movement
- inability to rise
- slow to rise
- swaying walk
- crippled walk
- Behavior
- drooped head, ears
- pawing
- despondent
- Feet
- excessively long hooves
- foot infections
- joint, leg swelling
- Skin
- rough, dry hair coat
- excessive hair loss
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11Physical Examination contd
- Appearance
- gaunt, drawn appearance
- lack of body fat
- wound(s) with drainage and odor
- open mouth breathing
- excessive coughing
- Discharges
- nasal discharge
- eyes tearing
- profuse watery diarrhea
- Vital Signs
- pale mucous membranes
- elevated body temperature,
- respiratory rate, heart rate
- slow capillary and jugular refill
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13Initial Observation of Animals
1. Are dead animals present? Yes Consult a
local veterinarian for assistance. No Go to
step 2. 2. Are ALL animals in abnormal physical
condition?
14Initial Observation of Animals contd
- Yes Proceed to step 3.
- No But some animals appear abnormal and
- others normal. Consult a local veterinarian
for assistance.
15Some Abnormal Animals
- Status
- Are thin animals old?
- Are thin animals lactating?
- Are thin animals being overworked?
- Are newborn animals not nursing?
- Causes
- infectious diseases
- metabolic disorders
- parasitic infestations and infections
- intoxications
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18Initial Observation of Animals
1. Are dead animals present? Yes Consult a
local veterinarian for assistance. No Go to
step 2. 2. Are ALL animals in abnormal physical
condition?
19Initial Observation of Animals contd
- Yes Proceed to step 3.
- No But some animals appear abnormal and
- others normal. Consult a local veterinarian
for assistance.
20All Abnormal Animals
- 3. Are abnormal environmental conditions present?
- Note If such conditions are present and animals
are required to live for a prolonged period of
time therein, such could constitute cruelty.
21Evaluate Environmental Conditions
- Facilities
- lack of shelter from sun, cold, wind
- no access to sunlight
- ongoing muddy conditions
- absence of drinking water
- Space
- confined, close quarters without ventilation
- overcrowding
- small space confinement
- Sanitation
- accumulated animal excrement
- an excessive foul odor from excrement or
carcasses - accumulated rodent excrement
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23All Abnormal Animals
- 3. Are abnormal environmental conditions present?
- Note If such conditions are present and animals
are required to live for a prolonged period of
time therein, such could constitute cruelty.
24- Yes Consult a local veterinarian for assistance.
- No Go to step 4.
25All Abnormal Animals
- 4. All animals in the group exhibit abnormal
physical condition but do not appear to be
subject to abnormal environmental conditions. - Note Failure to provide an adequate supply of
drinking water constitutes animal cruelty.
- Note Feeding thin/unthrifty animals at less than
maintenance levels constitutes animal
cruelty.
26All Abnormal Animals
- 4a. Consider dehydration Is acceptable drinking
- water present?
-
- Yes Move on to step 4b.
-
- No If possible, do the "skin pinch" test to
confirm dehydration. Consult a local
veterinarian for assistance.
27All Abnormal Animals
- 4b. Consider malnutrition Is forage and/or
feed - available in sufficient quantity?
-
- Yes Go to step 5.
- No Evaluate pasture/feed situation. Consult a
local veterinarian for assistance.
28Evaluate Pasture
-
- accessible ground is bare
- no grass is available
- a browse line is apparent on the trees/shrubs
- bark is missing from trees/fence posts
- most exposed wood is gnawed
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32- Note The animals without pasture grass must be
offered hay and possibly supplemental feed - (ex. grain, pellets, cubes, textured feed,
sacked feed, etc).
33Evaluate Feeding Containers
-
- Are racks, troughs, pans, buckets and tubs
present? - Is there evidence they are frequently used?
- Are they clean?
- Saliva in the trough indicates hungry animals.
- Is there evidence that hay is being fed?
- Horse at least 1lb hay/100 lb body weight
daily - Cow at least 1lb hay/100 lb body weight daily
34All Animals Abnormal
- 4b. Is forage and/or feed available in
sufficient - quantity?
-
- Yes Go to step 5.
- No Evaluate pasture/feed situation. Consult a
local veterinarian for assistance.
35All Animals Abnormal
- 5. If water and food are provided in ample
quantities and the animals do not appear to be
subject to abnormal environmental conditions,
remaining possibilities include infectious
diseases, plant toxins or chemical toxins. - Consult a local veterinarian for assistance.
36Record
- Local Veterinarian ______________________________
__ - Phone _____________________
- Date__________________
Time_________________ - Location__________________________________________
- Animal species____________________________________
_ - Conclusion________________________________________
- Action____________________________________________
-