One of only a few veterinarians in Canada trained in forensic veterinary science, Dr. Shane Bateman is bringing this emerging field to U of G.
Dogs in cardiac arrest. Cats with collapsed lungs. The chaos of the emergency room shaped Dr. Shane Bateman's early veterinary medicine career. Then, the University of Guelph professor realized that not all stories could be taken at face value.
He remembers the conference clearly. Veterinarian Dr. Melinda Merck was speaking on animal victims of abuse and neglect, and how they rarely see justice in the current system. Too few veterinarians, she explained, are trained to recognize, document and provide support in investigations and prosecutions.
"We're very behind," Bateman recalls Merck saying. "I realized she was right."
That conference on "The Violence Link" the well-established connection between animal abuse and human violence radically changed Bateman's perspective. A few facts resonated:
- In homes with intimate partner violence, animal abuse is present in up to 70% of cases.
- Pets are sometimes used as a means of control to prevent survivors from leaving dangerous situations.
- Children who witness animal cruelty are more likely to engage in violence later in life.
He returned to the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) with a new mission: to design programming that would equip future vets to provide justice for abused animals.
As the first veterinary resident in Canada trained in emergency and critical care, Bateman is no stranger to pioneering such initiatives from scratch. And though it wouldn't happen overnight between Bateman's work at OVC launching new outreach programs and a pandemic that stalled it all he completed his master's in forensic veterinary science in 2022.
Now, Bateman is one of only a handful of veterinarians in Canada with active cases in this emerging field, and he is not waiting for anyone to catch up, as he builds the field and its future stewards at U of G.
Forensic veterinary science growing at Ontario Veterinary College
Forensic veterinary science the intersection of veterinary medicine and the justice system is where medical expertise becomes evidence and testimony. Specialists determine how an animal was harmed, when the injury occurred and whether it was intentional in order to present their final findings to a judge and jury.
The practice can also support human cases, as a pet's unexplained injury might be the first piece of visible evidence of family violence.
"Really, our job is to bring an animal's story into the courtroom," Bateman says.
Inside the programming at OVC, Bateman is training the next generation of veterinarians to do just that.
A week-long rotation, offered as an elective to small groups of students, is immersive and intensive, covering everything from non-accidental injuries to how animal welfare laws vary between provinces.
Students practice taking unbiased histories and navigating their roles as mandated reporters who are legally required to act when they suspect animal harm. They work mock crime scenes, examine stuffed animals and cadavers. They stand under lights and answer questions as expert witnesses. By the end of the week, some feel changed.
"One of my students said, I don't want this to end,'" he says. "That's when you know you're doing something that matters."
The goal is clear: give students the tools and confidence to act when something feels "off" in an exam room. Bateman hopes to expand the elective and integrate it more fully into the broader DVM curriculum.
Canada behind on tracking animal abuse statistics
The work is difficult, Bateman says. Emotionally and logistically.
"You grow a bit of Teflon," he says. "But you also rely on the people around you to keep you grounded."
During COVID-19 lockdowns, when household violence surged, it's likely many animals suffered alongside people. But their stories go unnoticed, Bateman says, as Canada doesn't track national statistics on animal abuse.
In the U.S., however, the FBI now includes animal cruelty in its crime database, and the numbers are rising.
As society's relationship with animals changes, so too does its expectation of veterinarians.
"Thirty years ago, the family dog lived in the backyard," Bateman says. "Now they sleep in our beds. They're part of the family. Veterinarians cannot turn a blind eye."
Bateman is now focused on training practicing veterinarians. This summer, he launched a continuing education series for equine vets who may encounter abuse in barns or stables that includes a webinar and a day-long, hands-on workshop at OVC.
He wants to shatter certain myths, particularly the fear that reporting suspected abuse will lead to legal trouble or professional risk.
"Veterinarians are in a powerful position," he says. "But they need to know what they can do and that speaking up is both safe and necessary."
Ultimately, Bateman sees forensic veterinary science as both a medical and moral duty.
"If we all want things to be better, we all have a role to play," he says. "This is mine."
