Characterization and comparison of injuries caused by spontaneous versus organized dogfighting

Intarapanich, Nida P.; Touroo, Rachel; Rozanski, Elizabeth A.; Reisman, Robert W.; Intarapanich, Pichai P.; McCobb, Emily

doi:10.2460/javma.251.12.1424

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…), but the stouter long bones of ter- restrial animals will completely fracture in response to such forces. Intra-and interspecific aggression resulting in bone pathology is almost always associated with significant overlying soft tissue damage, such as lacerations of the muscles and/or skin (Intarapanich et al, 2017). Bite-associated bone pathology has been documented in other extinct reptiles (Lingham-Soliar, 2004;Xing et al, 2018), though the lesions are few and not as widespread as in USNM 18313.…”

Section: Clinical Diagnosis and Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A large, pathological skeleton of Smilosuchus gregorii (Archosauriformes: Phytosauria) from the Upper Triassic of Arizona, U.S.A., with discussion of the paleobiological implications of paleopathology in fossil archosauromorphs

Heckert

Viner

Carrano

2021

Palaeontol Electron

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Phytosaurs were a widespread clade of Triassic predatory archosauriforms whose skull anatomy is well known, but whose paleobiology is underexplored. Here we report on a well-preserved specimen from Adamanian (early-mid-Norian) strata in Arizona that includes not only the skull and lower jaws but much of the postcranial skeleton, which exhibits extensive evidence of pathologies. This specimen has a complex taxonomic history, and we verify its referral to Smilosuchus gregorii based on multiple cranial characters.The shafts of eight limb bones preserve extensive exostoses-more paleopathological elements than in any other Triassic archosauromorph. These exostoses are often centered on cavitations reminiscent of draining tracts. Extensive, irregular, proliferative lesions have completely engulfed the left deltopectoral crest and thoroughly altered the architecture of both femora. The animal's presumed low metabolic rate would have allowed several months of lesion progression before it died of either nutritional deficiency or systemic infection. This is the fourth, and by far the most extensive, report of pathology in a phytosaur, and only the eighth in a non-dinosaurian Triassic archosauromorph.The character and location of the lesions evokes aspects of both osteomyelitis and hypertrophic osteopathy-though neither is fully consistent with the changes present, nor are these conditions well-explored in extant reptiles. The most likely cause of the pathologies exhibited here is osteomyelitis; indeed, this specimen bears more osteomyelitis-like paleopathological elements than any other fossil archosaur.

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Section: Clinical Diagnosis and Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A large, pathological skeleton of Smilosuchus gregorii (Archosauriformes: Phytosauria) from the Upper Triassic of Arizona, U.S.A., with discussion of the paleobiological implications of paleopathology in fossil archosauromorphs

Heckert

Viner

Carrano

2021

Palaeontol Electron

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“…The American Pit Bull Terrier is the breed most commonly associated with organized dogfighting in this country [1,2,3]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship Between Scarring and Dog Aggression in Pit Bull-Type Dogs Involved in Organized Dogfighting

Miller

Touroo

Spain

et al. 2016

Animals

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Simple SummaryOrganizations responsible for placing dogs seized from dogfighting investigations often must determine if a particular dog should be euthanized because it is too dangerous or if it is safe to place the dog in an adoptive home. In this study, we examine whether the extent of scarring from dog fighting is a reliable predictor of aggression towards other dogs and therefore could be used to help make that decision. We found that dogs with 10 or more scars in the three body zones where dogfighting injuries tend to be concentrated were more likely, on average, to show aggression to other dogs. The relationship is imperfect, however. Many unscarred dogs were dog aggressive while some highly scarred dogs were not. Therefore, we recommend also assessing a dog’s behavior before making decisions about its disposition.AbstractWhen pit bull-type dogs are seized in an investigation of organized dogfighting, heavily scarred dogs are often assumed to be highly dog aggressive due to a history of fighting. These dogs may be deemed dangerous and euthanized based on scarring alone. We analyzed our existing data on dogs seized from four dogfighting investigations, examining the relationship between the dogs’ scars with aggression towards other dogs. Scar and wound data were tallied in three body zones where dogfighting injuries tend to be concentrated. Dog aggression was assessed using a model dog and a friendly stimulus dog in a standardized behavior evaluation. Scarring and dog aggression were significantly related, more strongly among male (Fisher’s Exact p < 0.001) than female dogs (Fisher’s Exact p = 0.05). Ten or more scars in the three body zones was a reasonable threshold with which to classify a dog as high risk for dog aggression: 82% of males and 60% of females with such scarring displayed dog aggression. However, because many unscarred dogs were dog aggressive while some highly scarred dogs were not, we recommend collecting behavioral information to supplement scar counts when making disposition decisions about dogs seized in dogfighting investigations.

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“…Comparison of the patterns of wounds seen in dogs seized from dogfighting operations with those seen in family dogs that have been in fights with similar-sized dogs show significant differences. 38, 45 Forensic examination of suspected fighting dogs and evidence seized with them may also provide evidence of the use of steroids, stimulants, or other drugs commonly used to attempt to enhance fighting performance.…”

Section: Dogfightingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal Abuse and Interpersonal Violence

Lockwood

Arkow²

2016

Vet Pathol

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The role of the veterinary forensic pathologist in the investigation of animal abuse or neglect can go beyond documenting the condition of animals presented as evidence. Although animal cruelty is a moral concern and a crime in itself, law enforcement response to such crimes is often enhanced by the recognition that crimes against animals can be both indicators of other ongoing crimes against people and predictors of the potential for interpersonal violence. An understanding of common motives underlying animal cruelty can aid the pathologist in asking appropriate questions. The authors review the forms of pathology evidence commonly seen in various presentations of animal cruelty. Understanding these forms of evidence can help the pathologist describe findings that can be significant for assessing the potential risks the alleged perpetrator may pose to other animals and humans.

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Characterization and comparison of injuries caused by spontaneous versus organized dogfighting

Cited by 10 publications

References 11 publications

A large, pathological skeleton of Smilosuchus gregorii (Archosauriformes: Phytosauria) from the Upper Triassic of Arizona, U.S.A., with discussion of the paleobiological implications of paleopathology in fossil archosauromorphs

A large, pathological skeleton of Smilosuchus gregorii (Archosauriformes: Phytosauria) from the Upper Triassic of Arizona, U.S.A., with discussion of the paleobiological implications of paleopathology in fossil archosauromorphs

Relationship Between Scarring and Dog Aggression in Pit Bull-Type Dogs Involved in Organized Dogfighting

Animal Abuse and Interpersonal Violence

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