On 02/03/2014 at approx 4:30 p.m., Corpus Christi Animal Care Services arrived at 7700 block of Holly Rd. to investigate a deceased animal that was called in by the City Solid Waste Department. This area is known for illegal dumping of garbage.

Upon arrival officers observed the remains of a decomposed dog that appeared to be a black Labrador mix. Officers documented and collected the remains and the bottom half of a plastic dog house that the dog was laying in.

Animal Care Services Veterinarian and forensic expert, Melissa Draper, along with Animal Care Services Program Manager, Heather Hedrick, who has taught crime scene investigation for many years and is a Master Peace Officer, examined the dog. During the examination the following was determined:

• The dog was elderly. It was not wearing a collar or microchipped. There is no physical identification on the animal or the dog house to suggest who the owner may be.
• The dog did not appear to have any trauma consistent with abuse or to suggest a cause of death.
• The neck did not appear to be broken. The dog was placed in the box in an awkward manner with the head laying back.
• The dog has been deceased for approximately 3-4 weeks and was in the peutrification stage. What appeared to be blood around the body was actually the natural process of decomposition of the body. The observed decay was characteristic of mass loss. This loss occurs as a result of both the feeding of insects and the purging of decomposition fluids. The bones that were observed protruding around the hips and neck were likely due to natural decomposition not starvation. Experts concluded that the dog died of unknown causes.

Prepared by:
Heather Hedrick,
Program Manager
Corpus Christi Animal Care Services & Vector Control
heatherhe@cctexas.com