March 16, 2012

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department held its first training programme on forensic veterinary pathology from March 12 to 16.
 
The programme introduced the application of veterinary medicine to the forensic sciences. Topics included the fundamentals of animal abuse and diagnostic features of non-accidental injury to companion animals such as cats and dogs.
 
The programme also offered basic skills in investigation involving injured or dead animals or scenes involving acts of animal cruelty and forensic pathology findings, as well as guidance on handling evidence and conducting evaluations.

Thirty-eight participants from the department, Police, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals joined the training, which was conducted by leading expert Prof Ranald Munro.
 
The department, in conjunction with the Police, Food & Environmental Hygiene Department and the SPCA, formed the Animal Welfare Task Force last year to review the handling of animal cruelty cases.