CSI for animals: Forensic vets battle pet abuse, neglect
By COLLEEN LONG
The cocker spaniel arrives to the animal hospital with a police officer, whimpering and shaking. He has a pus-filled pink socket for a left eye and is so skinny his spine and ribs show through his caramel-colored fur.
Because animal abuse is suspected, this dog won’t be handled like the other pets coming in for treatment to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — it will go instead to a specialized team of forensic veterinarians who are trained to treat animals while also developing evidence for possible criminal charges.
“The message to people who are abusing animals is that there is action being taken,” said Dr. Alison Liu, one of the forensic vets on staff. “And if they’re thinking they may not get caught, that’s not always the case.”
The New York-based nonprofit has a team of three forensic vets dedicated to capturing evidence to punish animal abusers — their jobs include traveling to crime scenes and working with the New York Police Department in a new partnership that has seen cruelty-related arrests doubled in the past two years. They have a necropsy lab, evaluation unit and a rehabilitation center that houses about 60 animals with the goal of adoption.
Full Article:
http://wtop.com/lifestyle/2016/04/csi-for-animals-forensic-vets-battle-pet-abuse-neglect/
