Abstract:

Animal abuse represents an emerging public health concern within the One Health framework, as it is considered an important predictor of interpersonal violence. Stray cat colonies in urban areas constitute a high-risk population for intentional harm, making them valuable sentinels of violence in society. The primary objective of the study was to characterize the temporal evolution, lesion patterns, and main causes of death in suspected feline abuse cases investigated between 2020–2024, and compare these findings with a previous regional study (2014–2019). Fifty-three cats with suspected animal abuse were submitted to the VISAVET Veterinary Pathology and Forensic Service (Madrid, Spain). Full forensic necropsies were performed, and cause of death was established by pathological and toxicological examination. Thirty-one cases (58.5%) were confirmed as non-natural deaths, including blunt force trauma (n=17; 32.1%), poisoning (n=8; 15.1%), and projectile injuries (n=6; 11.3%). Natural causes accounted for 21 cases (39.6%). Compared with the 2014–2019 study, evidence indicated a potential upward trend in case submissions, with poisoning identified as a new form of abuse in the region. Concordance between initial suspicion and definitive diagnosis remained low. Forensic pathology findings revealed a growing incidence and diversification of abuse against cats in urban colonies. This evidence reinforces the role of veterinary forensics as a diagnostic and preventive tool, providing objective data to address violence at the human–animal interface. Within a One Health perspective, recognizing animal abuse as an indicator of interpersonal violence is essential for designing integrated surveillance strategies that protect animal welfare, public safety, and social health.