Introduction to Animal Behaviour, Health
and Husbandry - Week 1 Lesson 1 (22/1)
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 1:11 PM
Historical Treatment of Animals
• Ahimsa is a spiritual doctrine that is shared by Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
• Ahimsa means 'non-injury' and 'non-killing' and they believe that there should be total
avoidance of harming any living creatures by deeds, words, and thoughts.
• Confucianism is a religion in China, and they believe that you "do not do unto others what
you would not want others to do unto you."
• Confucian beliefs suggest that animals should be treated humanely, but they do not believe
that human beings should not eat or use animals.
• Muslims believe that "Whoever is kind to the creatures of God is kind to himself.", which
suggests that the treatment of animals should prevent suffering, which is laid out in the
Qur'an. For example, Halal meat.
• Halal meat is when the animal is slaughtered and then the blood is allowed to drain from the
carcass before the meat is able to be consumed.
• Jews believe that animals are part of God's creation and should be treated with
compassion.
• Jews believe that human beings must avoid causing pain to any living creature, which is
called 'Tzar Baalei Chayim'.
• During Ancient Greece, there were two religions at different times.
• Pythagoras believes that we are similar to animals so we should not eat them.
• Aristotle believes that there is a hierarchical structure and that human beings had absolute
authority over all animals.
Animals and Western Society
• Treatments of animals in Britain unregulated for 1000s of years.
• The historical importance of animals as there is a value of animals to humans
• Primarily driven by the needs of humans.
• In the 1950s, farming became more industrialised.
Animal Health
• Animal Health is freedom from disease and the physiological state of being able to resist
disease.
• One importance of animal health to human health is 'One Health'.
• 'One Health' is an approach that recognises that the health of people is closely connected
to the health of animals and our shared environment.
• Another importance of animal health to human health is zoonoses, which are diseases which
can be transmitted between humans and animals.
• Another two reasons why animal health is important for human health is because animals are
necessary for food productivity and agriculture, as well as global symbiosis
Animal Welfare, Husbandry and Health Page 1
, Introduction to Animal Behaviour, Health and
Husbandry - Week 1 Lesson 1 Continued (22/1)
24 January 2024 15:54
• Anthropomorphism is the attraction of human characteristics or behaviour to an animal
or object.
• Speciesism is the practice of treating members of one species as morally more
important than members of other species in applied ethics and philosophy of animal
rights.
• Speciesism is also the belief that the practice of treating members of one species as
morally more important than members of other species is justified in applied ethics and
philosophy of animal rights.
• Animal Welfare is the state of an animal in relation to its environment.
• The different states are the animals biological state, for example health, emotional
state and their ability to perform normal behaviour.
• Animal welfare is emotive and controversial.
• There is a link between animal welfare and human wellbeing.
• There is recognition that animals have needs and feelings.
• There is a difference between animal ethics and animal rights.
• Vets and farmers tend to consider the physical state and the environment.
• There are effects that can happen to animals even before they are born.
Animal Rights vs. Animal Welfare
• Animal welfare means that animals should be treated humanely.
• Animal welfare allows proponents support use for human purposes but with minimal
discomfort.
• Animal rights means that animals should not be exploited.
• Supporters of animal rights feel that it is ethically, morally, and inherently wrong
to use animals for human purposes under any condition.
Animal Welfare, Husbandry and Health Page 2
, Introduction to Animal Behaviour, Health and
Husbandry - Week 1 Lesson 1 Continued 2
(22/1)
24 January 2024 17:19
• Animal husbandry is the science of rearing and keeping animals based on natural
behaviours, based on production and based on anthropomorphic interpretation.
The 5 Animal Needs vs Freedoms
• The 5 Animal Freedoms were developed in response to a 1965 UK Government report on
livestock husbandry by Roger Brambell.
• The 5 Animal Freedoms are the freedom from hunger or thirst, the freedom from
discomfort, freedom from pain, injury or disease, freedom to express most normal
behaviours and freedom from fear and distress.
• The freedom from hunger or thirst can be achieved by readily being able to access
fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.
• The freedom from discomfort can be achieved by providing an appropriate environment
including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
• The freedom from pain, injury or disease can be achieved by preventing pain, injury or
disease or having rapid diagnosis and treatment for diseases.
• The freedom to express most normal behaviours can be achieved by providing
sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind.
• The freedom from fear and distress can be achieved by ensuring conditions and
treatment which avoids mental suffering.
• The 5 Animal Freedoms were adapted into the 5 Animal Needs in the Animal Welfare
Act, 2006.
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Animal Welfare, Husbandry and Health Page 4