welfare and behavior Flashcards
(37 cards)
- What is the primary piece of animal welfare legislation in Scotland?
Animal Health & Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006
- Name a piece of secondary legislation that relates to the Animal Health and Welfare Act (Scotland) Act re: tail docking.
The Prohibited Procedures on Protected Animals (Exemptions) (Scotland) Regulations 2010
- What is meant by the term ‘Duty of Care’ in relation to the primary pieces of legislation in the UK?
Generally, there is a duty to comply with legislation.
Although the Code does not have legislative effect, it is intended to promote and give examples of good practice. Duty of care – responsible ownership, must act reasonably to prevent harm or suffering, not knowing is no defence.
- What are the ‘Codes of practice’ in terms of animal welfare?
- The aim of the Code is to help owners look after their animals properly.
- Under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 (the Act) anyone who is responsible for an animal has a legal duty to take reasonable steps to ensure its welfare.
- In relation to pet dogs, cats and rabbits what is written into a ‘code of practice’?
The purpose of the code of practice (the Code) is to provide practical guidance to help people to comply with the provisions of Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the Act). It does not tell people precisely how to care for an animal, but summarises important things to consider when making decisions about how best to care for your animal.
- What are the criteria for a protected animal defined in the main welfare act?
- What are the criteria for a protected animal defined in the main welfare act?
An animal defined as a vertebrate other than man, excludes animals in embryonic form. Vertebrates include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Invertebrates such as insects, shellfish, crustaceans and cephalopods are not “animals” for the purpose of this part of the Act. Vertebrates: in captive or domestic care of humans, not living in the wild.
- What are the main offences described in this act?
Neglect, abandonment, administer poisons, carry out mutilations, sell an animal to children, use as a prize, use an animal for fighting, cause a protected animal unnecessary suffering.
- What are the current actions and penalties that could be taken if convicted of an offence?
Up to five years imprisonment, unlimited fine, trial by indictment, disqualification orders.
- What are the FIVE welfare needs? Describe them
Need for a suitable environment- provide appropriate environment for species ie bedding/housing.
Need for a suitable diet- provide suitable diet for species to ensure health.
Need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns- providing sufficient space, facilities, and company of the animal’s own kind.
Need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals.- Provide company for social species, separate where needed ie behaviour or health effected.
Need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease- prevent physical or mental suffering, ensure health care provided in a timely manner.
- What is animal sentience?
The ability to feel/experience sensations (and is thus a quality which entitles them to a right to care). The ability of being aware and able to feel… Consciousness.
- Outline the primary breeding and licensing legislation.
In Scotland, establishments used for breeding are controlled by:
Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021
- What are the key concepts in relation to animal welfare?
Sentience, feelings, needs, freedoms, ability to cope, ability to control environment, health, and stress.
- Give reasons why owners abandon their pets.
Finances, children, behavioural issues, veterinary bills, allergies the list goes on.
- Can you describe the differences between the following perspectives: utilitarianism, ethical humanism and contractarianism?
Contractarianism asserts that only individuals who comprehend and embrace a contract can have moral rights.
Utilitarianism is Based on principle of equal consideration, Equal consideration given to all species.
Humanism also known as speciesism, human beings are alone in deserving moral consideration, regardless of intelligence or ability whereas animals do not.
What are the welfare implications for breeding dogs where puppy farming and poor welfare practices are concerned?
Breach of five freedoms due to inadequate housing, lack or no veterinary or preventive care leading to poor health and multiple potential clinical conditions.
Lack of socialisation or handling can impact behaviour which can continue to effect animals as they develop.
Any other relevant answer.
- According to the PDSA what are the current welfare issues affecting rabbits?
- Give examples where welfare of dogs has been compromised as a result of selective breeding.
BOAS- canines are unable to breath, effect’s ability to eat, digest food. Can cause many secondary conditions. Effect’s ability to eat, exercise and display normal behaviours.
Spinal disease due to overbreeding or breeding for select traits ie longer spines. Effect’s ability to carry out normal daily functions, causes pain and suffering.
Any other relevant answer such as seizures, rare genetic disorders, limb disorders etc.
- Describe how you could meet the welfare needs of cats in the domestic environment.
Allowing them to display their natural behaviour ie access to outdoor, enrichment in the house such as tall objects, places to hide, scratching posts. Provide varied forms of enrichment to stimulate multiple senses. Ensure adequate diet as unable to synthesis own taurine.
- Describe factors that influence owners when acquiring and sourcing a new pet.
Social media is a huge influencer, trends often influence an owner’s decision to purchase a certain breed. Social status is another consideration. In the absence of social status or trends potential owners look at behaviours and exercise levels, size, how the animal will fit in to their existing environment. If multi-pet household or children in the household this will also influence an owner when acquiring a pet ie friendly natures etc. Sourcing a new pet is often done via social media channels, due to increased publicity of puppy farms potential owners often consider where their new pet will now come from meaning they are more informed in their decision.
Natural behaviours of rabbits
Social – large groups with dominant buck sharing a territory with several females and subordinate males.
Resource limitation is a key factor in sociality in the wild and may lead to aggression.
Live in burrows called warrens with multiple entrances.
Digging behaviours for escape, creating cool resting areas, nesting and making a scrape for scent marking or as a latrine.
Natural prey for many carnivores – constantly vigilant, will freeze initially, but may then flee; may also thump ground.
Selective grazers and browsers – spend 80% of time foraging & feeding; also perform caecotrophy.
Rely heavily on scent for territorial marking such as chinning; also for recognition and communication.
Natural behaviours of horses
Prey species – will flee from threats or danger; will run away first
Highly reactive & always vigilant
Social; lives in herds – safety in numbers
Establish their role and place in herd and need to maintain this
Aggression helps to maintain hierarchy
Harem – dominant stallion breeds with mares
Mares will lead the group
Selective grazers – spend 50-70% of the day grazing
effects of gentics and breeding on cats
Short legs of the Munchkin which affect their self-grooming ability.
Folded ears of the Scottish Fold that limit their visual communication.
Wool sucking behaviour involves sucking, licking and chewing on soft materials, observed in Siamese and Birman breeds.
Oriental breeds are also prone to psychogenic alopecia (excessive grooming).
Father of kittens can influence 2 traits:
i) timing of eyes opening in neonate kittens
ii) their friendliness towards humans or general boldness and confidence levels.
Breed-specific behaviours might include swimming in the Turkish Van or docile temperament of Ragdolls.
Bengal breed ranked highest for behaviours associated with wild cats such as aggression toward family and urine marking and lowest ranked for affection toward family.
describe observational learning
Observational learning – watching and copying from others
Puppies imitate behaviours of their mother / pack members / litter mates
Learn communication signals: body postures and facial expressions e.g. play bow
As adults they can mimic behaviours of other dogs
Other dogs can be used as models for good or desired behaviours
e.g. puppy at the top of the stairs may be scared to walk down; if an adult dog walks past them and down the stairs, puppy will observe and follow.
describe associative learning
Associative learning – they associate their behaviour with the outcome e.g. classical conditioning (Pavlov’s dogs)
This is the method they use to build up knowledge of their experiences
Occurs when 2 unrelated events become connected in a dog’s mind. They make connections between the stimulus and the behavioural response.
Animals make associations
e.g. collar and lead = walking/exercise outdoors and opportunity to explore, play and run
