Canine scavenging of human remains in an indoor setting

Dawnie Wolfe Steadman, Heather Worne

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

This case study documents the nearly complete consumption of adult human remains by two domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) inside a residence. While scavenging behavior has been observed for coyotes, wolves, hyenas and other canines in natural outdoor environments, little information is available concerning canine scavenging of human remains in an indoor setting. In this case, the dogs were confined with the body inside a residence for approximately 1 month. The impact of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on canine scavenging behavior and the postmortem interval are examined, such as clothing on the body, perimortem trauma, drug ingestion and the availability of alternative food sources. While cases of canine scavenging of their owners are scant in the literature, this phenomenon is probably not uncommon, particularly among the elderly and indigent who live alone with pets and are socially isolated.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)78-82
Number of pages5
JournalForensic Science International
Volume173
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 15 2007

Keywords

  • Anthropology
  • Canine scavenging
  • Postmortem interval

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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