Large Animal Cruelty Investigation Training Animal Cruelty Investigation Flow Chart

1. Large 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 A&M System

2. 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?

4. 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?

5. Physical 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

11. Physical Examination cont’d 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

13. 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?

14. Initial Observation of Animals cont’d Yes Proceed to step 3. No But some animals appear abnormal and others normal. Consult a local veterinarian for assistance.

15. Some 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

18. 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?

19. Initial Observation of Animals cont’d Yes Proceed to step 3. No But some animals appear abnormal and others normal. Consult a local veterinarian for assistance.

20. All 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.

21. Evaluate 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

23. All 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.

25. All 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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

32. Note: The animals without pasture grass must be offered hay and possibly supplemental feed (ex. grain, pellets, cubes, textured feed, sacked feed, etc).

33. 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

34. 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.

35. All 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.

36. Record Local Veterinarian: ________________________________ Phone: _____________________ Date__________________ Time_________________ Location__________________________________________ Animal species_____________________________________ Conclusion________________________________________ Action____________________________________________