Perception, knowledge and attitudes of small animal practitioners regarding animal abuse and interpersonal violence in Brazil and Colombia

Identification and report of animal abuse by veterinarians are fundamental to the promotion of animal welfare and the prosecution of this crime. Likewise, these professionals have an important responsibility to cope with the cycle of violence. This study aims to characterize the perception, knowledge, and attitudes of small animal practitioners regarding animal abuse and interpersonal violence in Brazil and Colombia. An online survey containing 27 questions was distributed to small animal practitioners of both countries. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was employed to construct relationships among categorical variables and the chi-square statistic was used for testing these relationships. An important number of respondents had suspected that their patients could be victims of animal abuse (Brazil 48.1%; Colombia 64.5%). However, only a minority reported this situation to competent authorities (Brazil 32.7%; Colombia 10.8%). To receive training about veterinary forensics and/or animal welfare sciences in veterinary college was associated with identifying and denouncing animal abuse (p <.05). Deficiency in training received by veterinarians on veterinary forensic and animal welfare science in veterinary college was evident. Despite this, small animal practitioners recognize the existence of an association between animal abuse and interpersonal violence (Brazil 94.2%; Colombia 96.8%). The results highlight the need to strengthen education on animal abuse and promote the participation of veterinarians in the prosecution of this crime in Latin America.