Case report: Medical veterinary expertise on a case of cockfighting in Brazil

The combat between animals to serve as a form of human entertainment is an old practice. In Brazil, it is considered a crime due to animal mistreatment. In the present case, a forensic medical veterinary expertise was required to evaluate 50 roosters apprehended on a cockfighting practice located in Itapetininga, Sao Paulo, Brazil. A forensic live animal examination was performed on 49 of the alive roosters analyzing ID, body condition score (on a scale of 1–5), lesions and observations, together with photo-documentation. A rooster died after the capture, in which an animal forensic necropsy was conducted. The most common findings during forensic examination was emaciation due to starvation present in 100 % (49/49) of alive animals, followed by characteristic grooming displayed in 87 % (43/49) and lesions located in face, neck, wings and chest found in 63 % (31/49). Wounds such as face edema and corneal ulcer were analyzed in 26 % (13/49) of the animals with edema and inflammation on limbs which were present in 10 % (4/49). Regarding the obit, it revealed severe emaciation, intense pododermatitis on the left limb, ingluvies full of non-digested dietary content with a foreign body, thickened ventricle muscle wall, evident opacity on left air sac and presence of frothy liquid in left pulmonary lobe. These results were used as evidence to prove animal mistreatment and abuse occurring in cockfighting practice. The goal of this case report is to collaborate on the production of material and protocols regarding this type of crime.