[Wausau Daily Herald]

Wisconsin is one of 39 states that does not require licensed
veterinarians to report suspected animal abuse, an issue that could
arise in Wausau with accusations that a woman killed her boyfriend's
dog after it had been treated for previous injuries.

The American Veterinary Medicine Association encourages 'good faith'
reporting of suspected abuse and requires medical professionals to
report if they believe an animal has been in a fight. But with no
clear legislation or rules mandating reporting, vets rely on their own
consciences and morals to decide whether to report.

The issue of animal abuse has been front and center since a
20-year-old Wausau woman was charged with poisoning and then killing
her boyfriend's dog, a 4-year-old Labrador/shepherd mix named Mary, in
June. The woman, Sean D. Janas, was charged Monday in Marathon County
Circuit Court in connection with Mary's death after investigators
received a diary detailing months of abuse. Janas, who is being held
in the Marathon County Jail on a $2,500 cash bond, faces more than
five years in prison and $30,000 in fines if convicted of all the
charges against her.

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full story:
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20121025/ WDH01/310250126/Veterinarians-not-required-by-law-report-suspected-animal-abuse