A Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) with alveolar echinococcosis bitten to death by a dog- a challenge for the forensic pathologist as an expert witness

Thiele, Tanja, Morf, Nadja, Grimm, Felix, Kipar, Anja ORCID: 0000-0001-7289-3459 and Hetzel, Udo (2023) A Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) with alveolar echinococcosis bitten to death by a dog- a challenge for the forensic pathologist as an expert witness. JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY, 200. pp. 12-17.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpa.2022.11.005

Abstract

We present a case that illustrates the complex contexts in which forensic veterinary pathology examinations may be carried out. A wild muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) had died after a putative bite attack from a domestic dog. Bite attacks by privately owned dogs on wild animals in Switzerland violate the Swiss civil (and/or hunting) laws, and dog owners are generally punished with a monetary fine; hence, this case appeared to be straightforward. However, the results of the subsequent post-mortem examination of the muskrat not only confirmed the presence of injuries related to the bite attack, but also detected alveolar echinococcosis (ie, infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis). Therefore, as an intermediate host of the parasite, the muskrat could have contributed to further spread of a severe helminthic zoonosis had it not been killed by the dog. It was probably an easy prey for the dog as it probably had been weakened by the disease. Furthermore, muskrats are considered as pests and invasive species, and are non-indigenous huntable game in Switzerland and other European countries in which programmes for the prevention of their further spread and endangerment of native wildlife are established. The role of the forensic veterinary pathologist in such a complex scenario is to adopt an unbiased approach and establish the facts, which in this case was to determine the cause of death and suspected perpetrator, identify any concomitant and/or underlying diseases and consider potential animal welfare issues.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	dog bite, forensic pathology, muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	04 May 2023 15:03
Last Modified:	18 Oct 2023 14:36
DOI:	10.1016/j.jcpa.2022.11.005
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpa.2022.11.005
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3170181