ABSTRACT
Although banned in several countries worldwide, dog fighting has remained a challenge, particularly on criminal investigation, recognition, and prosecution. Besides animal cruelty, dog fighting has been controlled mostly by criminal organizations and accompanied by illegal gambling and drug trafficking. While such competitions may be impaired by advances of legislation on animal welfare and media coverage, international organized crime has been migrating to less regulated and enforced countries. The case herein reported a flagrant dog fighting investigation in an international event involving 27 Pitbull dogs in Mairiporã, located 50 km outside São Paulo City, Brazil. An international network of dog fighting was revealed at the tournament, along with presence of organizers from USA, Mexico, and Peru. Proof was obtained on-site about other similar past and future competitions in other Latin American countries. Dogs were rescued, thoroughly examined for signs of animal cruelty, surveyed for potential diseases, and tested positive for visceral canine leishmaniasis. The process conducted by the state hearing resulted in the highest criminal sentence attributed to animal cruelty in Brazil to date, serving as jurisprudence for future prosecutions. Forensic veterinary medicine was essential in this case as a specialty for police and court assistance, leading to detailed and undeniable report of animal cruelty.
ABSTRACT
O reconhecimento adequado dos sinais clínicos e lesões anatomopatológicas são importantes para caracterizar os casos de intoxicação exógena em cães e gatos. O diagnóstico definitivo do agente tóxico deve ser realizado por exame toxicológico. No período de 2009 a 2014 foram analisados 42 casos de necropsia com histórico de intoxicação exógena de 31 (73,8%) cães e 11 (26,2%) gatos. Destes 21 (50%) apresentaram Boletim de Ocorrência e 22 (52,4%) foram submetidos ao exame toxicológico. A maior prevalência verificada foi intoxicação por carbamato e nos exames necroscópicos a principal causa de morte insuficiência cardiorrespiratória, seguida por choque hipovolêmico. Na histopatologia do fígado, rim e cérebro as principais lesões encontradas foram congestão, degeneração e hemorragia. Os órgãos apresentaram sinais de autólise e putrefação. Com base no estudo observou-se que as técnicas diagnósticas complementares, histopatologia e exame toxicológico, fornecem suporte adicional na elaboração de laudos em casos de intoxicações exógenas criminais envolvendo animais.
Appropriate recognition of the clinical signs, lesions anatomical pathological that characterizes cases of animals intoxication that take to death. Associated with the methods of identification laboratorial of forensic toxicology is fundamental to establish a definitive diagnosis of the toxic agent. In period 2009 to 2014 are selected 42 cases, 31 (73,8%) dogs and 11 (26,2%) cats. These cases 21 (50%) feature police reports and 22 (52,4%) are made toxicological exam. Highest prevalence was intoxication for carbamate. Necroscopic exam revealed that main cause of death were cardiac respiratory insufficiency and hypovolemic shock. In histopathology of liver, kidney and brain the main lesions are congestion, degeneration and bleeding. The organs showed signs of autolysis and putrefaction. The diagnostic techniques used, histopathology and necropsy are additional and helps veterinarian to make reports for litigation in cases of intentional poisoning in animals.
