Autopsy Features of Fatal Donkey Attack

Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2018 Dec;39(4):354-356. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000406.

Abstract

Lethal donkey attacks have very rarely been described. The case of a 65-year-old man who was found deceased on a country road with 2 domestic donkeys nearby is, therefore, reported. Examination of the body revealed contusions and lacerations of the face and scalp, a comminuted fracture of the left maxilla, comminuted fracturing of the right radius and ulna and of the left anterior superior iliac spine, a flail chest, and pulmonary contusions. In addition, there were bite marks on the left thigh, right buttock, right axilla/upper arm, and left cheek which corresponded to the dental arcades of the donkeys. Death had resulted from blunt chest trauma due to an attack by 1 or 2 donkeys. Deaths and serious injuries are much more commonly caused by horses; however, this case shows that even domesticated donkeys may also rarely be capable of inflicting significant trauma and so should be approached with circumspection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aggression*
  • Animals
  • Bites and Stings / etiology
  • Bites and Stings / pathology*
  • Equidae*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Fractures, Comminuted / etiology
  • Fractures, Comminuted / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multiple Trauma / etiology
  • Multiple Trauma / pathology*