Autopsy Features of Fatal Donkey Attack.

This study scrutinizes a rare occurrence of human death caused by an attack from domesticated donkeys. The findings highlight the significant injuries that even animals perceived as harmless like donkeys can cause and urges caution when dealing with them.

Overview of the Research

• The research focuses on a unique case of a 65-year-old man who was found dead in the vicinity of two donkeys. The objective of the study was to determine the cause of death and to assess whether the donkeys may have had a part in it.
• Upon examination, there were several injuries on the man’s body including contusions, lacerations, comminuted fractures, a flail chest (a severe injury where a segment of the rib cage breaks and detaches from the rest of the chest wall), and pulmonary contusions (injuries to the lung).

Analysis of Injuries and Their Correlation to the Donkeys

• In addition to the above injuries, there were bite marks on various parts of the body including the left thigh, right buttock, right axilla/upper arm, and left cheek.
• The bite marks matched the dental structure of the donkeys, affirming suspicion that the man had indeed been attacked by one or both donkeys. This conclusion points out that the donkeys inflicted most, if not all, of the found injuries.

Study Conclusion

• The study concludes that the cause of death was blunt chest trauma, most probably as a result of being kicked by one or both donkeys.
• Prior to this case, instances of fatal injuries caused by donkeys had been seldom reported. Most animal-inflicted human injuries and death incidents have been linked to more aggressive and larger animals such as horses.
• This case therefore serves as a critical reminder that even animals considered docile like donkeys can cause serious harm and should be approached with caution.