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Case Report


Forensic evaluation of a fatal shotgun injury in a Cane Corso dog: Necropsy and radiographic findings

Kübra Yağlı, Görkem Ekebaş, Gökçen Perk, Gültekin Atalan, Latife Çakır Bayram.


Abstract
Background:
Although firearm-related injuries are relatively uncommon in veterinary forensic pathology, they constitute an important cause of animal traumatic death. Accurate forensic evaluation of such cases necessitates an integrative, multidisciplinary approach to determine the cause and manner of death.

Case description:
This report presents the forensic investigation of a 5-year-old male Cane Corso dog found dead with no prior clinical signs. Necropsy revealed multiple pellet entry wounds on the skin and soft tissues. Radiographic and gross pathological examination demonstrated widespread pellet distribution in the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Histopathological analysis confirmed multi-organ damage, including hemorrhage, necrosis, and tissue disruption in the heart, lungs, and liver. Although the firearm was not recovered, a close-range discharge was indicated by ballistic analysis.

Conclusion:
The manner of death was determined to be multi-organ trauma resulting from close-range shotgun pellet penetration. This case highlights the forensic significance of penetrating firearm injuries in veterinary pathology and emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach in investigating such cases.

Key words: Forensic veterinary pathology; Gunshot wound; Necropsy; Pellet injury; Wound ballistics.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Yağlı K, Ekebaş G, Perk G, Atalan G, Bayram LC. Forensic evaluation of a fatal shotgun injury in a Cane Corso dog: Necropsy and radiographic findings. Open Vet. J.. 2026; 16(1): 731-738. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.69


Web Style

Yağlı K, Ekebaş G, Perk G, Atalan G, Bayram LC. Forensic evaluation of a fatal shotgun injury in a Cane Corso dog: Necropsy and radiographic findings. https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=276008 [Access: February 04, 2026]. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.69


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Yağlı K, Ekebaş G, Perk G, Atalan G, Bayram LC. Forensic evaluation of a fatal shotgun injury in a Cane Corso dog: Necropsy and radiographic findings. Open Vet. J.. 2026; 16(1): 731-738. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.69



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Yağlı K, Ekebaş G, Perk G, Atalan G, Bayram LC. Forensic evaluation of a fatal shotgun injury in a Cane Corso dog: Necropsy and radiographic findings. Open Vet. J.. (2026), [cited February 04, 2026]; 16(1): 731-738. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.69



Harvard Style

Yağlı, K., Ekebaş, . G., Perk, . G., Atalan, . G. & Bayram, . L. C. (2026) Forensic evaluation of a fatal shotgun injury in a Cane Corso dog: Necropsy and radiographic findings. Open Vet. J., 16 (1), 731-738. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.69



Turabian Style

Yağlı, Kubra, Gorkem Ekebaş, Gokcen Perk, Gultekin Atalan, and Latife Cakır Bayram. 2026. Forensic evaluation of a fatal shotgun injury in a Cane Corso dog: Necropsy and radiographic findings. Open Veterinary Journal, 16 (1), 731-738. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.69



Chicago Style

Yağlı, Kubra, Gorkem Ekebaş, Gokcen Perk, Gultekin Atalan, and Latife Cakır Bayram. "Forensic evaluation of a fatal shotgun injury in a Cane Corso dog: Necropsy and radiographic findings." Open Veterinary Journal 16 (2026), 731-738. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.69



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Yağlı, Kubra, Gorkem Ekebaş, Gokcen Perk, Gultekin Atalan, and Latife Cakır Bayram. "Forensic evaluation of a fatal shotgun injury in a Cane Corso dog: Necropsy and radiographic findings." Open Veterinary Journal 16.1 (2026), 731-738. Print. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.69



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Yağlı, K., Ekebaş, . G., Perk, . G., Atalan, . G. & Bayram, . L. C. (2026) Forensic evaluation of a fatal shotgun injury in a Cane Corso dog: Necropsy and radiographic findings. Open Veterinary Journal, 16 (1), 731-738. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.69