Introduction

• When someone deliberately hurts an animal, it is often referred to as non-accidental injury (NAI). This can be difficult to diagnose, and, while veterinarians’ primary responsibility is to their animal patients, the interrelationship between violence to animals and to people (the ‘Link’) should also be considered. 
• While not mandatory to report cases of suspected abuse in the UK, every veterinary practice should have a protocol for dealing with NAI cases. The different types of abuse, what to look out for and how to deal with suspected abuse cases will be covered in this article. 

Types of abuse

The Five Freedoms

The link between animal and family abuse

What to look out for

How to deal with suspected abuse cases

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Munro H M, Thrusfield M V (2001) 'Battered pets': Munchausen syndrome by proxy (factitious illness by proxy). J Small Anim Pract 42(8), 385-389 PubMed. 
• Munro H M, Thrusfield M V (2001) 'Battered pets': features that raise suspicion of non-accidental injury. J Small Anim Pract 42(5), 218-226 PubMed.   
• Munro H M, Thrusfield M V (2001) 'Battered pets': sexual abuse. J Small Anim Pract 42(7), 333-337 PubMed. 
• Munro H M, Thrusfield M V (2001) 'Battered pets': non-accidental physical injuries found in dogs and cats. J Small Anim Pract 42(6), 279-290 PubMed. 

Other sources of information

• Veterinary Forensics. 2nd edn (2013). Wiley-Blackwell, Melinda D Merck DVM.
• Munro R, Munro H M C (2008) Animal Abuse and Unlawful Killing: Veterinary Forensic Pathology, Saunders Elsevier. 
• The International Handbook of Animal Abuse and Cruelty (2008) Frank R Ascione (ed). Purdue University Press, West Lafayette, Indiana. 
• RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons: www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/ 

Organisation(s)

• The Links Group: www.thelinksgroup.co.uk 
• BVA: www.bva.co.uk/resources-support/ethical-guidance/recognising-abuse-in-animals-and-humans-guide
• WSAVA: wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Executive-Summary-of-the-WSAVA-Animal-Welfare-Guidelines-web.pdf
• One Welfare: www.onewelfareworld.org/about.html 
• RSPCA: www.rspca.org.uk/ 

USA

•  AVMA: www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-abuse-response-resources-veterinarians
• Wildlife Rescue: wildlife-rescue.org/services/advocacy/animal-abuse/
• American Humane: americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/animal-abuse/
• Animal Legal Defense Fund: aldf.org/article/the-link-between-cruelty-to-animals-and-violence-toward-humans-2/
• Animal Welfare Institute: awionline.org/content/frequently-asked-questions-about-reporting-animal-cruelty

Canada  

• CVMA: www.canadianveterinarians.net/policy-advocacy/animal-abuse