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(cuttingShrewsbury
Chronicle 21/6/01 by Julian Wells MRCVS of Copthorne Veterinary Clinic)
Real link between cruelty to animals and to children
VETERINARY practitioners have a do vital role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence that affects thousands of families and their pets.
This was the clear message which came out of a recent press briefing by the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals.
The briefing took place at the Crufts dog at the National Exhibition Centre Birmingham last month and highlighted the very real link between cruelty to pet animals and to children.
It was emphasised that veterinarians should be always on the look out for telltale signs of non-accidental injuries in companion animals, as these were often the first indication of violence in the home.
Animal abuse has been shown to be the precursor to the most serious crimes against humans, and evidence of animal cruelty is now an accepted part of "offender profiling" in murder investigations.
It is also a key indicator of less extreme forms of violent behaviour. There is an increased chance of children and adults being abused in households where violence to animals has also occurred.
INVESTIGATIONS
In cases where children themselves exhibit cruelty to animals, there is a likelihood that the children themselves are victims of abuse.
The signs that veterinarians should look out for was also discussed. In those families where abuse is known to have occurred it is rare for dogs and cats to survive more than two years.
Thus, practitioners should be suspicious of owners who regularly come in with new young animals with unlikely stories of loss, death or re-homing. Also if young animals are brought in with injuries but are never seen again as adults. Another suspicious sign is if a pet is presented with an injury at a neighbouring practice it does not normally attend.
Of course it must be also remembered that young animals do frequently get injured or injure themselves quite innocently, but if a pattern is seen to be appearing, where there is an inexplicable recurrence of events, then this should be regarded as suspicious.
RELUCTANT
Abusers will often be reluctant to seek medical or veterinary help but it is not uncommon for the partner or child to seek help, although they will usually "stick up" for the perpetrator. In these instances it is important to recognise inaccurate and untrue histories of events. Children will often be more truthful than adults.
The UK is only just beginning to wake up to the problem of joint animal and child abuse and is decades behind the USA in developing strategies to deal with it. What appears to be needed is close co-operation and cross reporting of incidents between Police, GPs , veterinary surgeons and the child protection authorities.
The animal health company Intervet is sponsoring a conference in London in November to again bring this issue into the spotlight and help speed up progress in the battle against child and animal cruelty./cutting ends.
This article is so outrageous it really is quite unbelievable.
One expects certain behaviour from the type who join the RSPCA,but usually vets are of quite a different kettle of fish......for one thing they are expected to get very high grades in examination results.
Whilst now- a- days they do not take the Hippocratic Oath and their loyalty is to the BVA only can clients not expect at least client confidentiality????
Of course animal and child abuse is exceptionally evil, but as there is such political kudos and financial advantage in making allegations against ordinary members of the public that this is a most dangerous route to follow.
Television companies, and the media in general are only too happy to discover sensational stories that will improve their sales and are prepared to pay £kkkkk for such tales.
Unless you're very sensible and go to one of the clinics beginning to proliferate in this country you will be paying incredible amounts over the odds for the vaccination of your pet animal...so ask yourself how this would be spiders' web of co-operation between the vets, RSPCA and Social Workers benefits this cartel (!)
Joining them we see Intervet the makers of vaccines another not so delicate filament in the spider's web.
Vets should be like priests. They should be people one can go to for help for their animal without having to worry whether they are going to mistake some accident for signs of abuse. Have a look at the ANCIENT Hippocratic Oath. Of course its outdated but the essential central core of uprightness is what we should be able to expect from our vets.
Would your vet take the Hippocratic Oath...why don't you ask him anonymously of course. Ask him if he believes in client confidentiality. Tape record what he says if you can!!
Not because you would do anything like abuse a child or animal but because you may be accused of it as have a number of totally innocent people.
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The Oath by Hippocrates, 400 BC Translated by Francis Adams
I swear by Apollo the physician and Aesculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all gods and goddesses, that according to my ability and judgement, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation - to reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents: to share my substance with him, and relieve him of necessities if required
To look on his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and by that precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction.
, I will impart a knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and those of my teachers and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according to my ability and judgement I consider for the benefit of my patients and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous.
I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if asked, nor suggest any such counsel: and in like manner I will not give to any woman a pessary to produce abortion.
With purity and holiness I will pass my life and practice my Art.
I will not cut persons labouring under a stone, but will give this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work.
# Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and I will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and further from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves.
Whatever in connection with my professional practice or not, in connection with it I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret.
While I continue to keep this Oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the Art, respected by all men, in all times. But should I trespass and violate, may the reverse by my lot!
AMEN
Music: "Now and then there's a fool such as I"............... Elvis