Читать книгу Animal Cruelty Investigations - Группа авторов - Страница 121

Another basic requirement that applies to all animals, regardless of the species, is the understanding that veterinary care is required to relieve an animal's suffering. Any sick or injured horse, ferret, turtle, or animal of any species that is injured, sick, and suffering must be offered relief through medical care, treatment, or euthanasia.

Any animal that is old, disabled, pregnant, nursing, or juvenile may require special care due to their weakened or debilitated state (Figure 2.7). Owners are required to provide that care so that animals with these types of special needs do not suffer. In simple terms, the minimum care required for animals at a specific life stage or condition is often over and above what would be considered adequate or minimum care for an average healthy adult animal of the same species. Examples of provisions that must be made for these animals might include extra calories and supplements, reinforced shelter or additional heat support, and padded stalls or bedding to prevent pressure sores or provide for parturition and raising young.

Figure 2.7 Animals in a weakened or debilitated state require veterinary care to address pain and suffering.

Source: Oregon Humane Society.

Some cases, like cockfighting and farmed animal investigations, require coordination with the State Veterinarian whose role is to consider public health risks from zoonotic diseases (transferable from animals to humans). Diseases such as avian influenza, brucellosis, and rabies carry a risk to humans and testing or reporting may be warranted.