PET ABUSE & NEGLECT
T
he hardest thing for a doctor of veterinary medicine to do is put an animal to sleep. A close second, and I do mean close, is have an animal come into your clinic that appears abused or neglected. There is a difference between abuse and neglect. One is aggressive, the other is passive. Whether the doctor dares to report the cruelty or not is out of the doctor’s hands. The American Veterinary Medical Association requires to report abuse. Most states have Good Samaritan laws which provide legal protection. However, if abuse is unable to be proven the accused can spread bad stories about the doctor. But, a veterinarian is faced with, “If not me, then who.” Now enters a very, very defining circumstance which makes reporting this brutal act even more imperative. Animal cruelty is often a “sentinel act”, an act which is often associated with
domestic violence or child abuse. Studies have shown that over 70% of all animal cruelty cases coincide with human cruelty. If you notice something is odd or suspicious that is something you may want to deal with in your neighborhood. Keep a diary with dates and acts with pictures if possible and other neighbors providing witness if possible BUT, when you contact the authorities explain to them that you desire anonymity Doing a good deed will not protect your windows and tires. Take care.
R. Scott Nicholson, DVM, is a respected Broken Arrow veterinarian. Dr. Nicholson’s clinic is located at 816 S. Elm and he can be contacted at 918-806-6074
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