This book guides veterinarians and lawyers through the diverse and complex fields of alleged cruelty to, and unlawful killing of, companion animals, farm livestock and wildlife. It draws together current knowledge on how to approach, investigate and report forensic cases.


Animal Abuse and Unlawful Killing is the essential definitive reference text for veterinary and legal professionals engaged in forensic cases involving animals and the source of reference for others who wish to understand the issues surrounding animal abuse cases.
Key Features

• Covers all aspects of the forensic post-mortem including cause and time of death

• Features the fundamentals of abuse and neglect
• Allows rapid access to descriptions of different types of injuries and gives essential guidance on their interpretation
• Backed by practical standard operative procedures from world experts to ensure proper and professional case management
• High quality, specially selected photographs, a clear writing style and concise presentation informs and encourages the reader towards soundly-based conclusions

Author Information
By Ranald Munro, BVMS, MSc, DVM, Dip Forensic Medicine, DipECVP, MRCVS, Professor of Forensic Veterinary Pathology, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK; and Helen M. C. Munro, BVMS, MRCVS, Honorary Fellow, The University of Edinburgh Veterinary School, UK

Product Reviews

This may not be a comfortable book to read, but every veterinary surgeon in practice should have a copy on their shelves, and it ought to be essential reading for new graduates. It deals specifically with non-accidental injury to animals. The text is attractively laid out and well illustrated with full colour pictures and line diagrams. The first pathology textbook dedicated to non-accidental injury in animals in the UK.

Veterinary Record, February 2009

"The senior author`s experience in this field is very apparent from both the text and the images...This is a useful addition to forensic literature. It should be available to any veterinary surgeon who is involved in legal cases where cruelty or unlawful killing is alleged."

Veterinary Practice, June 2010

"The book, written by a husband-and-wife team of veterinary pathologists with many years` experience of assessing accidental animal injury, is indeed a gourmet sandwich. It is the text that many established veterinary pathologists have been waiting for, particularly those who may be engaged in or likely to encounter forensci and legal veterinary pathology." The Bulletin, July 2009