The Forensic Pathology of the Sexual Abuse of a Group of Chickens

Twelve chickens were discovered dead in a barn with a human male suspect observed on closed-circuit television. Post-mortem examination of two of the chickens revealed traumatic injury to the ventral cloaca with fibrinoheterophilic coelomitis associated with coelomic contamination by gut contents. The presence of human DNA was subsequently confirmed in cloacal swabs. This report highlights animal sexual abuse, which may occur in a range of species including chickens, as a significant challenge to animal welfare. Veterinary surgeons should be vigilant for signs of injury to the anogenital regions of animal patients, including birds, as evidence of potential sexual abuse.