welfare Flashcards
what is welfare?
Different scientific definitions
Concerned with sentience and suffering
Science, ethics, and law plays key roles
5 needs (RSPCA)
- access to fresh water and a suitable diet
- adequate shelter and somewhere comfortable to rest
- access to vet treatment + steps to prevent pain, injury etc
- company of other animals and enough space so they behave naturally
- kept in conditions that means they will not suffer,and treated in a way t not distress or frighten them
What are the 5 freedoms?
Freedom from hunger and thirst
Freedom from discomfort
Freedom from pain, injury and disease
Freedom to express normal behaviour
Freedom from fear and distress
what are the 5 domains? (mellor)
- nutrition
- environment
- health
- behaviour
- mental state
sentience
- the capacity to experience suffering and pleasure
- implies conscious awareness
what does UK FAWC 2009 say?
- an adequate life
- a life worth living
- a good life
welfare continuum
Poor welfare = life not worth living
Adequate welfare = life worth living, minimal suffering
Good welfare = good life
main aspects of welfare
Physical = good health & productivity
Physiological = absence of pain
Psychological = able to perform natural behaviour
welfare and death
- Length of life is not connected to welfare
- Method of death IS a welfare issue
laws on animal use?
- Animal welfare act 2006
- Animal health act 1981
- Wildlife and countryside act 1981
Sections of animal welfare act
- Section 4 = criminal offence to cause unnecessary suffering, applies to commonly domesticated vertebrates
- Section 9 = duty of care for responsible person, includes by omission
historical development
- aninaml welfare legislaion has evolved over centuries
- influenced by cultural views
- international variations
Historical views
- descartes 1600’s: greatest prejudices is believing that the beasts think
- Kant 1970’s: animal cruelty suppresses sympathy and reduces morality
- jeremy Bentham 1948-1832: “ the quesio is not, can they reason? nor can they talk? but, can they suffer?”
Societal issues impacting welfare
- Industrial revolution caused social upheaval
- Literature of the time anthropomorphised animals
- movement to towns away from countryside
- animals became companions rather than dinner
- increasing concerns for animals welfare
International organisations
- world organisation for animal health (OIE)
- Food and agriculture organisation (FAO)
- one health initiative
What are differences in the purposes of animal welfare laws?
Differences in purpose:
Protecting species/the environment
Improving animal welfare
Banning activities
Improving public health
Prohibiting cruelty
Improving animal health
Controlling methods of production
why legislation may not be effective
- legal status of animals as property
- strict liability offence or intent needed
- excemption: religion and culture
- accepted practice
- wording
- lack of enforcement
what is an ideal welfare law?
Applies to all sentient animals
Clearly written
Offences include failing to meet an animal’s needs
Easy to amend in line with new scientific knowledge, ethics, etc.
High legal status, allowing for prosecutions
Enforcement responsibility is clear
Enforcement body has sufficient power and funds
Includes education of public and industry
Is the vet’s responsibility to the client or the animal?
- The vet’s responsibility is to the animal
- RCVS oath “…my constant endeavour will be to ensure the welfare of animals committed to my care…” - vets responsibility is to the animal
- Vet as an independent expert witness
ways to improve animal welfare
- financial incentives for producers
- public education
- research to inform government policy
- lobbying/political connection
role of vet in animal welfare
- Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease
- Assessing welfare in abattoirs and farms, and advising owners and officials
i Identifying deliberate animal cruelty - Implementing humane endpoints in lab animal research
- Pain management
- Ethical decision-making
- Communicating with owners, officials, etc.
- Veterinary professional bodies
poor welfare cycle
Poor housing/environment leads to:
Little interaction with staff leads to:
Poor temperment leads to:
Little motivation for staff to interact leads to:
Abnormal behaviours leads to:
Poor welfare
refinement loop
Critical evaluation of well being and science leads to:
Recognition of pain and poor welfare leads to:
Diagnosis of problem leads to:
Selection of improvement strategies leads to:
Implementation of good practice
What 6 factors may affect the normal animal’s behaviour?
Species
Breed
Age and size range
Environment
Group size/interaction
Dominance hierarchy
