“Dying alone and being eaten”: dog scavenging on the remains of an elderly animal hoarder-a case report

Abstract

Animal hoarding and human consumption by dogs have been important but often understudied aspects of the human-animal bond that can be addressed within a One Health framework. No scientific report has focused on dog scavenging on animal hoarders to date, despite isolated reports of dog scavenging on human remains, mostly due to starvation. The phenomenon has been approached as a confounding factor for human forensics. In 2014, the Animal Protection Department of Curitiba City was called to rescue and handle ten small dogs which had scavenged for a week on the human remains of their elderly owner, a potential animal hoarder. At inspection, three dead dogs in early putrefaction were also found in the household. Human autopsy revealed body putrefaction and lack of soft organs. Along with the dental arch, DNA testing was performed on the remains for official deceased identification. Due to the potential public health risks of aggression toward frail human beings and for the control of zoonotic diseases, all ten dogs were euthanized. Subsequent investigations by the crime scene police, homicide police, and autopsy services were unable to establish or rule out natural death, criminal or suicidal poisoning, zoonotic disease (rabies), fatal dog attack, or fatal accidental trauma. A general protocol has been proposed for future approaches to dog scavenging and suspicious killing of animal hoarders, as well an assessment for the potential adoption or euthanasia of animals owned by hoarders in these circumstances.

One Health approach for Brucella canis: Serological and molecular detection in animal-hoarding individuals and their dogs

“…Hoarding disorder cases are challenging mostly due to neglect, the multiplicity and complexity of associated factors [5], and difficulty accessing affected populations [7]. A recent study in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba, Parana ´, indicated challenges faced by the City Hall official services regarding animal hoarding disorders, such as the lack of standardization and exchange of service information between the involved city secretaries, including health, environment, and social services [50].…”

“…Individuals with AHD often live in unsanitary conditions, leading to vector proliferation and pathogen spread, particularly of zoonotic diseases [1,[3][4][5][6]. In addition, such individuals often fail to recognize animal suffering, are often hungry, trapped, crowded, or even die [1], as indicated by case reports of dogs scavenging the owner's remains [7].…”