SPECIFIC EVIDENCE
VETERINARY PHYSICIAN STATEMENT
When is a veterinary physician statement needed?
A veterinary physician statement is required to be submitted for ALL of our animal kingdom record categories. This statement must confirm that the animal is a full grown adult (normally this will be over one year of age) and is healthy.
A small number of our animal kingdom record categories require a more detailed veterinary physician statement, your Specific Guidelines will indicate to you when this is required, but the two main examples have been provided below for you. In these examples only one veterinary physician statement is required, but must still confirm that the animal is a full grown adult in addition to the information outlined below:
Records based on animal sizes: For all our record categories that are based on the physical measurements of the animals, we require that the measurement is undertaken by a qualified veterinary physician in the presence of two independent witnesses. The veterinary physician will not act as a replacement for your two independent witnesses.
Records based on an animal ages: We monitor a number of records that are based on the age of an animal, in these instances the record categories are not pro-actively attempted and therefore it is not possible for independent witnesses to be present for the duration of your attempt. For records of this nature we require statements from qualified veterinary physicians who have access to the relevant documentation and can attest to the age of the animal. In this example the veterinary physician statement will not act as a replacement for an independent witness statement.
If you are unsure whether you are required to submit a veterinary physician statement please contact your Records Manager.
What must the statement include?
A veterinary physician statement must be submitted on letter-headed paper and include the following:
• Name and full contact details
• Confirmation of all details of the event- location, date, time, measurement, age, available evidence.
• An explanation of their role in the event.
• An overview of their expertise in the field
• Proof of their qualifications – a photocopy of their professional qualification within the field should be submitted alongside the statement.