Conclusion

This five-year retrospective analysis of veterinary forensic necropsies in the Netherlands provides a detailed view of patterns of animal abuse and the current state of forensic practice.

Dogs and cats represented the majority of submitted cases, with blunt force trauma and neglect identified as the most frequently assigned categories based on gross necropsy findings. A substantial proportion of cases involved advanced decomposition, which limited the ability to assign definitive cause or manner of death in a subset of submissions.

Variation was observed in the geographic distribution of cases, which likely reflects differences in submission patterns and reporting practices. Urban areas accounted for a larger proportion of submissions compared with rural areas, although no inference can be made regarding underlying incidence.

Most cases were submitted by police and governmental agencies. Variability in packaging and storage practices was observed, although some improvement in standardisation was noted in later years of the study period.

Analysis of species, age, and breed revealed trends that may inform targeted prevention strategies. Mastiff-type breeds were overrepresented among submitted dog cases, and non-companion species such as birds, livestock, and rodents displayed varying levels of forensic relevance.

Legal follow-up was available for a subset of cases only. Within this subset, a range of outcomes was observed, including dismissals and a limited number of sanctions. These findings describe case outcomes within the available dataset and may not represent all legal proceedings related to veterinary forensic submissions.

Overall, this study demonstrates the critical value of veterinary forensic necropsy in identifying, documenting, and understanding animal abuse. To fully realize its potential, the field requires sustainable funding, national guidelines for evidence handling, formal integration into investigative protocols, and interdisciplinary training. Strengthening these elements will improve the legal impact of forensic findings, enhance animal welfare enforcement, and contribute to broader violence prevention and public safety efforts.