"Animal Abuse, No More"... Gyeonggi Province Launches Veterinary Forensic Medicine Center in August

Gyeonggi Province has established and is operating the nation’s first “Veterinary Forensic Medicine Center” within its Animal Hygiene Testing Institute, dedicated exclusively to veterinary forensic examinations, in order to provide scientific and systematic diagnoses of suspected animal abuse cases.

Veterinary forensic examinations are a systematic testing system that can scientifically determine the cause of an animal’s death and are conducted at the request of investigative agencies such as the police. The Veterinary Forensic Medicine Center was established as part of Gyeonggi Province’s organizational restructuring in August and is the first of its kind among local governments.

Previously, since July, Gyeonggi Province has been conducting “veterinary forensic examinations” at the request of investigative agencies such as the police, scientifically determining the cause of death of animal carcasses through autopsies, pathogen testing, histopathological examinations, and toxicology tests.

Employees of the Veterinary Forensic Medicine Center are performing an autopsy on an animal carcass. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

In particular, Gyeonggi Province explained that it established the Veterinary Forensic Medicine Center after determining that a specialized organization dedicated to animal autopsies was necessary to eradicate animal abuse and promote animal welfare.

The Veterinary Forensic Medicine Center consists of a total of three members, including a team leader and team members, and is operated by the Gyeonggi Province Animal Hygiene Testing Institute. To facilitate the implementation of veterinary forensic examinations, diagnostic infrastructure such as an autopsy room, laboratory, and imaging diagnostic equipment has been established to enable efficient testing.

Additionally, to strengthen testing capabilities, the team has completed the “Veterinary Forensic Examination Specialist Training Program” hosted by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency. For precise testing of poisonings and other drug intoxications, the center commissions the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, further enhancing the reliability of test results.

Shin Byungho, Director of the Gyeonggi Province Animal Hygiene Testing Institute, stated, “Since we began veterinary forensic examinations in July, we have received and conducted a total of 11 requests,” adding, “With the establishment of the Veterinary Forensic Medicine Center, we will further strengthen animal welfare policies and do our utmost to make Gyeonggi Province free from animal abuse.”