Animal Burn Patterns

Animal Burn Patterns

Veterinary Forensics 3
Tarleton University
Jenni Hranek

Animal Burn Patterns

Among the most horrific types of animal cruelty is burn and fire related injuries. Burns
are usually a patterned injury with characteristics that reflect the cause of the injury (Merck,
2013) and are typically localized or distributed asymmetrically. Burns typically do not progress
after five days without repetitive injury, unlike other dermatologic conditions (Merck, 2013). In
addition to the burn itself, it is common for the victim to have additional injuries. Common types
of burns include radiant heat burns, solar thermal burns, cigarette burns, and chemical burns.
Radiant heat burns are near-contact burns caused by the heat waves produced from a hot
surface such as a flame, heat lamp, fire, oven, or radiator (Merck, 2013). Depending on the
temperature, these burns can occur in just seconds and cause damage that can take months to
fully heal. Below is a picture of a Lhasa Apso that suffered a radiant heat burn after being placed
on a heating pad post-operatively to help the patient recover from surgery.

Image retrieved on November 20, 2015 from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3024647/Vet-left-elderlywidow-s-pet-dog-Rosie-degree-BURNS-routine-operation-remove-spleen.html

Solar thermal injuries present with burn lesions along the dorsum which may contain plaques
and eschars (Merck, 2013). Below is a picture of a Golden Retriever suffering from an
extremely severe solar thermal bun from the sun.

Animal Burn Patterns

Image retrieved November 20, 2015 from http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lancaster-dog-burns-sunchemical-controversy-20151015-story.html

Patterns of cigarette burn injuries usually have acute burns with the area being red,
circular, 0.5-1.0 cm in diameter, and possibly wedge shaped if the cigarette was applied at an
oblique angle (Merck, 2013). Below is a picture of a Pit Bull with multiple cigarette burn marks
on its cranium.

Image retrieved on November 20, 2015 from http://www.adoptapet.com/pet/371305-monticellogeorgia-pit-bull-terrier-mix

Chemical burns from substances that are strong acids of alkalis cause severe tissue
damage by interfering with cell metabolism or denaturing proteins (Merck, 2013). Burns

Animal Burn Patterns

resulting from chemicals may be internal, external, or a combination of both and because thermal
and chemical burns cause the same injury, the burn must be examined carefully to determine the
cause (Merck, 2013). The degree of injury resulting from a chemical burn depends on several
factors, including: the type of chemical and its action; volume of chemical in contact with the
body; strength of the chemical; length of contact time; penetration of the chemical; and whether
or not the animal ingested the chemical (Merck, 2013). Below is a photo of a Great Dane that
suffered severe chemical burns from an unknown substance.

Image retrieved November 21, 2015 from http://www.examiner.com/article/urgent-dog-withburns-need-of-rescue-from-animal-control

Regardless of the type of burn or fire related injury, these acts of animal cruelty are
among the most horrific and require a significant amount of time, dedication, and expertise to
help the wounds heal. Usually the animal will have permanent scars as a reminder of being a
victim of such heinous acts. As with any form of animal cruelty, any burn or fire related injury
should be properly documented, thoroughly examined, and photographed so that the prosecution
has plenty of evidence in the event that the perpetrator is found and tried in a court of law.

Animal Burn Patterns

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Reference:

Merck, M.D. 2013. Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations. 2nd ed. Ames, Iowa:
Wiley-Blackwell.