Case Study: A Case of owner-inflicted Humeral Fracture in a Dog: Veterinary and Legal Perspectives in Nigeria

Abstract

A five-year-old mixed-breed dog was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria, with acute lameness and severe pain in the right forelimb. Radiographic evaluation revealed a distal humeral fracture, later determined to be owner-inflicted trauma. The aim of this report is to describe the clinical management of an owner-inflicted humeral fracture in a dog and to highlight its veterinary and legal implications. The fracture was surgically stabilized using intramedullary pinning under general anesthesia, followed by postoperative antibiotic therapy, analgesia, and rehabilitation. The dog showed progressive clinical improvement, with uneventful wound healing and full functional recovery of the affected limb during follow-up. This case demonstrates that intramedullary pinning is an effective technique for canine humeral fracture repair, while also underscoring the importance of veterinary vigilance in recognizing potential animal abuse and integrating animal welfare and legal perspectives into clinical practice.