The purpose of the ASPCA NYC Forensic Sciences Externship is to provide third and fourth year veterinary students and veterinary internship and residency candidates with an opportunity to observe veterinary forensic medicine and the veterinary role in the management of animal cruelty cases. Prior to January 1, 2014 the majority of animal cruelty complaints in New York City were made to ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement. As of January 1, 2014 all animal cruelty complaints in New York City go to the New York Police Department. This is an historic change. The largest urban police force (34,000 uniformed police officers) in the United States now responds to complaints of animal cruelty 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. In the first year of the partnership, nearly 425 animals were rescued by NYPD and brought to the ASPCA. In 2015, 701 animals were rescued by NYPD and brought to the ASPCA. In 2015, greater than 1,000 animals were rescued by NYPD and brought to the ASPCA. Because animals are so significantly integrated into our society it is appropriate and necessary for local police departments to be responding to complaints of animal abuse. This will be a model for the country.
We work out of the ASPCA Animal Hospital, a full-service animal hospital with three boarded internists, full-time and a part-time boarded surgeons. Animals are also sent to one of Manhattan's specialty hospitals if necessary.
Students participate in all animal cruelty case intakes. They participate in all forensic necropsies. They frequently are asked to research a specific topic in forensic veterinary medicine. During their externship they complete a 60 question workbook that gives a detailed overview of forensic veterinary medicine. They attend mulitple meetings during the week where different departments conduct case discussions. They go to crime scenes if that kind of case occurs during their externship and similarly have the opportunity to attend court if testimony occurs during their externship. They also go our with the ASPCA's hoarding intervention team at least once while they are in NYC.