large animal cruelty investigation training animal cruelty investigation heather hedrick, program...
TRANSCRIPT
Large Animal Cruelty Investigation Training
Animal Cruelty Investigation
Heather Hedrick, Program ManagerCorpus Christi Animal Care Services
Why We Need to Train
Large animals create greater hysteria and concern.
ACO must be familiar with signs of mistreatment, as they are different than domestic animals.
Training is powerful and creates a more educated employee.
Horse Diagram
1. Look at the total herd.
2. Are all the animals skinny and weak? Or just one or two.
• What may appear to be negligence could be natural pecking order.
• Bites on flanks, ears, missing hair
Initial Observation of Animals
What's wrong with this picture?
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 & Teeth:• rough, dry hair coat• excessive hair loss • Teeth need to be floated
Physical Examination of Animals
Normal Behavior of Livestock
Rolling on their backs – dust bath Sneezing Pawing at the ground – boredom Cribbing – In some cases is boredom Tear stains around eyes – allergies
Use Common Sense
Signs of Sickness
Scours – occasional diarrhea is common in most livestock and largely depends on feed, grass (alphalfa vs. coastal hay)
Fever – A horse's normal body temperature ranges between 99 -101.5 degrees degrees. Weather effects this. Be concerned if below 93 degrees or over 104 degrees. Rectal temperature only.
Inability to stand: A horse that will not or cannot stand up is a very sick horse.
Excessive sweating without being worked is a sign of colic.
Over grown horse hoof
Inability to Stand and Emaciated
Teeth Tell ALL – Cribbing and Starvation
BAD - Need Floated or FiledGOOD
GOOD TEEATH VS BAD TEETH
Which would you choose as cruelty? Why?
White Horses Get Sunburns
Harness too tight
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
(Scours)
Vital Signs: • pale mucous membranes• elevated body temperature,
respiratory rate, heart rate • slow capillary and jugular
refill
Physical Examination cont’d
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
Some Abnormal Animals
Evaluate Environmental Conditions
Facilities: • lack of shelter from sun,
cold, wind• no access to sunlight• ongoing muddy conditions• absence of drinking water
in housing areasSpace: • confined, close quarters
without ventilation• overcrowding• small space confinement
Sanitation: • accumulated animal
excrement • an excessive foul odor
from excrement or carcasses
• accumulated rodent excrement
Unsanitary conditions
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.
All Abnormal Animals
All Abnormal Animals
Consider dehydration: Is acceptable drinking
water present?
If possible, do the "skin pinch" test to confirm dehydration. You will be able to see a slower drawback of skin if the animal is dehydrated.
Horses & Cows can drink up to 14 gallons of water a day.
All Abnormal Animals
Consider malnutrition: Is forage and/or feed
available in sufficient quantity?
Evaluate 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 (fencing –
cribbing)
The animals without pasture grass must be offered hay and possibly supplemental feed
(ex. grain, pellets, cubes, textured feed, sacked feed, etc).
Evaluate 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
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.
All Animals Abnormal
What to take with you….
A feed bucket & dry dog food A soft rope or halter A back-up officer
How to approach
Talk to the animal as you approach. Do not show fear. Let the animal smell you first. Slowely touch the muzzle and face. Do not touch the ears. Hold horse-main as you wrap rope around its neck. Do NOT tie to a tree. Touch the front legs first before approaching the rear. Call someone with horse experience.
Approach from the front
Record
Local Veterinarian: ________________________________
Phone: _____________________
Date__________________ Time_________________
Location__________________________________________
Animal species_____________________________________
Conclusion________________________________________
Action____________________________________________
Who to call:
Dr. Willis – Mobile Equine Veterinarian
(361) 222-3474
Dr. Draper – CCACS Veterinarian
(210) 845-4785
H.Hedrick – CCACS Program Manager
(940) 577-4396