What if a prevention of domestic violence was hiding in plain sight – on four legs?
Research shows that in homes where abuse happens, pets are often victims too.
If vets had the same mandatory reporting requirements as doctors and teachers, that could help authorities identify domestic violence cases.
Forensic veterinarian Dr Lydia Marwood explains on Crime Insiders:
Forensic veterinary pathologist Dr Lydia Marwood knows just how intertwined abuse of animals and humans is.
Marwood is regularly tasked with performing necropsies of animals or animal remains suspected to be victims of crime.
Marwood said while animals can’t share their experiences, vets might be able to spot the signs.
“An animal literally can’t tell anyone. Often the only person they can tell apart from perhaps the victim or owner that knows, is a veterinarian. Indirectly,” Marwood said.
“Is there any mandatory abuse by vets to authorities?” Crime Insiders | Forensics host Kathryn Fox asked.
“That’s been something I’ve been hoping for for a long time,” Marwood said.
Marwood said that common arguments again mandatory reporting include the uncertainty of signs of abuse and whether it would deter people from bringing their animals back to the vet.
“That is false that that happens, it’s actually not the case. They do keep bringing them in,” she said.
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