Cruelty toward Dogs and Cats in the Republic of Serbia during a 10-Year Period

Abstract

Simple Summary Animal cruelty poses intricate societal challenges, carrying adverse repercussions for both the victims and broader communities. According to the Animal Welfare Law, it encompasses any deliberate actions that inflict pain, suffering, distress, or death upon an animal, marking it as socially reprehensible behavior. This study was conducted from 2014 to 2023. In this study, a total of 338 dogs and 54 cats were submitted for necropsy. Animals were received in the Department of Forensic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade. Diagnostic procedures—radiological, histopathological and toxicology examinations—were performed in cases where they were needed. The cause of death was defined as a primary lesion leading to death. The manner of death was categorized as non-accidental, natural, accidental (motor vehicle accident, animal bites, anesthesia-related deaths, and veterinary malpractice), or undetermined. This study showed that most of the animals that were abused were medium-sized, mix-breed dogs which were found on public property. It is important to highlight that the number of abused animals is probably much higher, but due to an inadequately developed system in animal cruelty cases, there are a large number of animals on which necropsy is not performed. Abstract The aim of the study was to point out the importance of recognizing non-accidental injuries (NAI) and to highlight the importance of reporting such cases, as well as prosecuting the perpetrators, in order to detect potentially existing violence or prevent future violence in society. A total of 338 dogs and 54 cats were submitted for necropsy. Out of 338 dogs examined, 175 (51.8%) died due to non-natural cause of death, 122 from natural causes (36.1%), and 35 (10.3%) due to accidental injuries, and in 6 cases (1.8%) the cause and manner of death were undetermined due to advanced post-mortal changes. Out of 54 examined cats, 21 died due to non-natural causes (38.9%) and the same number of cats died due to natural causes. The prevalence of accidental injuries resulting in death were 20.4% (n = 11) and in 1.8% (n = 1) the manner of death remained indeterminate. The high number of animals confirmed to have died from unnatural causes in this study highlights the need for greater involvement from the police, prosecution, and society as a whole to reduce the number of violent animal deaths in the future.