Korean Journal of Veterinary Research (대한수의학회지)

The Korean Society of Veterinary Science (대한수의학회)
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Forensic analysis of toxic substances in fatalities with suspected companion animal cruelty

반려동물 학대 의심 폐사축에 대한 중독물질검사 연구

  • JeongWoo Kang (Animal Disease Diagnotic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) ;
  • Ah-Young Kim (Animal Disease Diagnotic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) ;
  • Hyun Young Chae (Animal Disease Diagnotic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) ;
  • Hanae Lim (Animal Disease Diagnotic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) ;
  • Suncheun Kim (Forensic Toxicilogy Division, National Forensic Service) ;
  • Bok-Kyung Ku (Animal Disease Diagnotic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) ;
  • Kyunghyun Lee (Animal Disease Diagnotic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency)
  • 강정우 (농림축산검역본부 질병진단과) ;
  • 김아영 (농림축산검역본부 질병진단과) ;
  • 채현영 (농림축산검역본부 질병진단과) ;
  • 임한애 (농림축산검역본부 질병진단과) ;
  • 김선춘 (국립과학수사연구원 대전과학수사연구소) ;
  • 구복경 (농림축산검역본부 질병진단과) ;
  • 이경현 (농림축산검역본부 질병진단과)
  • Received : 2023.04.23
  • Accepted : 2023.08.11
  • Published : 2023.09.30
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Abstract

The increasing prevalence of toxic substance-exposure in pets in South Korea endangers the health and safety of numerous companion animals, and has become a cause for concern. Notably, the annual incidence of forensic analysis in pets has increased by more than 150% in South Korea, mainly in populous regions such as Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi. In response to this growing issue, veterinary forensic examinations were conducted on 549 dogs and cats from 2019 to 2022. This study revealed the presence of various toxic substances, including pesticides, insecticides, and drugs such as analgesics, anesthetics, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants, in pets. Among the 38 different toxins identified in pets, coumatetralyl, methomyl, terbufos, and buprofezin were the most frequently detected. In this study, toxic substances for pets were identified based on the "toxic agent list for humans," developed by the National Forensic Services, because no list of toxic agents for animals currently exists and data regarding potentially toxic substances for dogs and cats is limited. This is one of the limitations of this study, and necessitates the establishment of a toxic agent list for animals. Continued monitoring and research is also recommended to reveal the incidence, causes, and solutions of toxicity in animals.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 농림축산검역본부 수의과학기술개발연구사업 연구개발과제(과제번호 B-1543069-2023-25-02)의 지원으로 수행되었습니다. 또한 본 연구에 관심을 기울여주신 시카고 일리노이 대학교의 MD. Akil Hossain 박사님과 약독물 검사를 수행하여 주신 국립과학수사연구원에 감사드립니다.

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