First-ever veterinary forensics conference kicks off today

Orlando, Fla. - 4/9/08 - Continued advancements in animal cruelty have spurred the unprecedented Veterinary Forensics Symposium , which opens its doors today and is co-sponsored by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the University of Florida's (UFL) William R. Maples Center for Forensic Science .

Held from April 9-11 at UFL, the ASPCA hopes the conference will continue to encourage the fight against animal cruelty and improvement of animal well being. "Veterinary forensics is clearly the next frontier in our fight. We are proud to be a part of this ground-breaking event which will bring together areas of forensics that have previously been applied only to crimes against humans," says Ed Sayres, ASPCA president and CEO.

Offering medical education credits and training in veterinary forensics and animal cruelty cases, the symposium is expected to attract almost 200 veterinarian and toxicology-expert attendees.

Featured speakers, all from ASPCA, include Dr. Melinda Merck, senior director of veterinary forensics; Dr. Randall Lockwood, senior vice president of anti-cruelty initiatives and legislative services; and Dr. Sharon Gwalntey-Brant, vice president and medical director of the Animal Poison Control Center.