# Overkilling in a Dog: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A young large-breed dog was found dead with signs of severe abuse and poisoning, highlighting the role of forensic veterinary science in animal cruelty cases.

## Contribution

This case report provides a detailed forensic analysis of overkilling in a dog, combining physical and toxicological evidence.

## Key findings

- The dog showed signs of strangulation, including bruising and a fractured neck bone.
- Toxicological tests confirmed the presence of rodent poison in the dog's liver.
- X-rays revealed unusual materials in the stomach, suggesting ingestion of harmful substances.

## Abstract

This case report describes the investigation of a young large-breed dog found dead with signs of severe abuse, including a rope around its neck and legs. This study aimed to uncover the cause of death and related events. The examination revealed multiple injuries, including bruising, internal bleeding and a fractured neck bone, suggesting strangulation. X-ray images showed unusual materials in the stomach, while laboratory tests detected poisons commonly used to kill rodents in the dog’s liver. These findings indicate that the dog had been subjected to both physical abuse and poisoning. This report highlights the importance of forensic veterinary science in identifying cases of animal cruelty and ensuring justice, not only by protecting animals but also by raising awareness of how violence towards animals can be linked to violence against people. Veterinarians play a vital role in protecting both animal welfare and public safety.

The term “overkilling” in forensic medicine is not clearly defined and is used to refer to homicides involving unusually massive injuries, far exceeding those necessary to kill the victim. This is the clinical case of a dog found in February 2023 in a town near Naples, with a rope around its neck and the metacarpal region of its forelimbs. The dog was taken to the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno (IZSM, Portici, Southern Italy), where it underwent a total body radiographic study performed using the “Philosophy HF400” X-ray device (Pan Vet, Kildare Town, Ireland). Subsequently, a full autopsy was performed, and samples of the injured organs were analyzed by accredited in-house laboratories for microbiological, histological and toxicological analyses. The autopsy revealed anatomopathological lesions compatible with strangulation, which were confirmed by histological examination. The autopsy also reported serosanguineous chest effusion, food material mixed with blackish microgranules and harmful substances in the stomach and, finally, uncoagulated blood in the atrioventricular chambers of the heart. These findings raised the suspicion of poisoning, which was confirmed by the positive outcome of toxicological tests.