undue suffering to an animal. Reckless and criminally negligent are the mental states often connected with these types of crimes, though inaction of an individual can also be intentional or knowingly done. Examples of statutes that would fit under this category are those that require the provision of minimum care (food, water, shelter, veterinary care) to animals. Throughout this book, unless a specific crime is being referenced, the phrase “animal neglect” will be used to indicate passive animal cruelty.
1.3.4 Good Animal Husbandry
In the context of animal cruelty work, the phrase “good animal husbandry” needs to be distinguished from the phrase “accepted animal husbandry practices.” The latter is a phrase frequently used when exempting certain agricultural and food production practices from the animal cruelty laws in a state. The former colloquially refers to providing species‐appropriate care to an animal in one's custody and can provide the basis for minimum care standards in a state.
1.3.5 Mandatory Reporting
Across many professional disciplines, particularly those likely to encounter vulnerable populations, there exists a duty to report certain actions, statements, observations, or suspicions to law enforcement. The field of animal welfare is no different. Lawyers and police officers working in this field are mandatory reporters of child and elder abuse. Social workers and human services employees are also mandatory reporters of child abuse. Veterinarians in many states1 are mandatory reporters of animal cruelty. Being a mandatory reporter means you must report, it is not optional, and it is not transferable; not reporting could result in disciplinary action.
By passing laws requiring animal control officers to report suspected child abuse or permitting social service employees to report suspected animal cruelty, states are promoting cross‐reporting. If there is one vulnerable entity being victimized, other vulnerable populations in the situation are at risk of also being victimized; cross‐reporting ensures that this likelihood is not overlooked.
1.4 Terms and Phrases: Veterinary Medicine
1.4.1 Acute
Refers to a condition or situation that has occurred very recently. Acute conditions may become chronic health concerns.
1.4.2 Bright, Alert, and Responsive (BAR)
“Bright, Alert, and Responsive” is an acronym veterinarians use to indicate an animal's presentation is normal.
1.4.3 Blunt Force Trauma
An injury or group of injuries caused by tissue impacting or colliding with a blunt object.
1.4.4 Body Condition Score (BCS)
A quantitative, yet subjective, method for evaluating body fat and overall condition using a standardized numbering system. There are various BCS scoring charts available for reference that are species specific. When you are assigning an animal a BCS using a chart for reference, be sure to include the name of the chart you are referencing and words from the description associated with the BCS you are assigning to the animal.
1.4.5 CBC/Chemistry
Stands for complete blood count and blood chemistry panel. These are blood tests veterinarians may order in furtherance of the diagnostic phase of an exam or to evaluate the overall health status and well‐being of an animal.
1.4.6 Chronic
Refers to a condition or situation that is persistent or reoccurring having not occurred very recently (hours or days).
1.4.7 Easy Keeper
A term used to refer to a livestock animal who maintains a normal body weight on a relatively modest or average amount of feed.
1.4.8 Lividity
An unnatural coloration of the skin, caused by fluid leakage within the tissues; can be useful in determining the positioning of a body at the time of death and whether a body was moved after death.
1.4.9 Necropsy
An autopsy performed on a deceased animal.
1.4.10 Nonaccidental Injury or Death
Injury or death that has been deliberately inflicted.
1.4.11 PE
An acronym for “physical exam.”
1.4.12 Predation
The hunting or scavenging of an animal or animal remains by another animal for food. Victims of predation are often mistaken for victims of animal cruelty perpetrated by humans. There are certain hallmarks of predation that veterinarians can use to distinguish between those scenarios (see Chapter 11).
1.4.13 Radiographs
Radiograph means X‐ray.
1.4.14 Rigor
The result of chemical changes in the body that cause stiffening and contraction of the joints and muscles; occurs one to six hours after death.
1.4.15 Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan (SOAP) Note
SOAP is a standardized method of documentation within an animal's medical record.
1.4.16 Stereotypic Behavior
Abnormal behaviors seen in animals confined and deprived of environmental enrichment (i.e. circling, pacing, self‐mutilation).
1.4.17 Unremarkable
Used when describing results that are normal or where nothing out of the ordinary has been found.
1.4.18 Veterinary Forensics
The collection of data from an animal and related materials that can be used for the investigation of animal abuse, neglect, or nonaccidental death.
1.5 Terms and Phrases: Law Enforcement and Field Services
1.5.1 Affidavit
Generally speaking, a sworn statement. Also, the supporting document of a search warrant request that outlines the probable cause motivating the warrant request.
1.5.2 Chain of Custody
The documentation that tracks a piece of evidence and who it comes into contact with, from where it was found at the scene of a crime to the point it is being offered as evidence of that crime.
1.5.3 Citation
An official notice of a violation of state law generated by someone with authority to enforce those laws (i.e. law enforcement).
1.5.4 Civilian
Any individual who is not a sworn peace officer.