Large Animal Cruelty Investigation TrainingAnimal Cruelty Investigation Flow Chart

Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS

Professor and Extension Program Leader for Veterinary MedicineTexas AgriLife Extension Service

Texas A&M System

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?

Initial 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?

Initial Observation 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

Physical Examination of Animals

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

Physical Examination cont’d

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?

Initial Observation of Animals

Yes Proceed to step 3.

No But some animals appear abnormal and

others normal. Consult a local veterinarian for assistance.

Initial Observation of Animals 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

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?

Initial Observation of Animals

Yes Proceed to step 3.

No But some animals appear abnormal and

others normal. Consult a local veterinarian for assistance.

Initial Observation of Animals cont’d

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.

All Abnormal Animals

Evaluate Environmental Conditions

Facilities: • lack of shelter from sun,

cold, wind• no access to sunlight• ongoing muddy conditions• absence of drinking waterSpace: • confined, close quarters

without ventilation• overcrowding• small space confinement

Sanitation: • accumulated animal

excrement • an excessive foul odor

from excrement or carcasses

• accumulated rodent excrement

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.

All Abnormal Animals

Yes Consult a local veterinarian for assistance.

No Go to step 4.

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.

All Abnormal Animals

All 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.

All 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.

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

Note: 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

All 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.

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.

All Animals Abnormal

Record

Local Veterinarian: ________________________________

Phone: _____________________

Date__________________ Time_________________

Location__________________________________________

Animal species_____________________________________

Conclusion________________________________________

Action____________________________________________