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    Public attitudes towards grief in animals

    McGrath, N.; Walker, Jessica; Nilsson, D.; Phillips, C.

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    Date
    2013
    Citation:
    McGrath, N., Walker, J., Nilsson, D., and Phillips, C. (2013). Public attitudes towards grief in animals. Animal Welfare. 22 : 33-47
    Permanent link to Research Bank record:
    https://hdl.handle.net/10652/2642
    Abstract
    Animals under human management are often separated from conspecifics, which may lead to behaviour indicative of separation distress or grief. For the purposes of this paper, grief is considered as a biological response to separation, indicated by a bi-phasic ‘protest-despair’ behavioural response. It is reasonable to assume that only animals which are able to form complex social bonds can experience grief. Scientific experiments have suggested that some farm and laboratory animals experience distress or grief as a result of maternal separation and social isolation. However, little is known about whether the public believe that animals are capable of grief. Therefore, we surveyed 1,000 members of the public to establish what knowledge they have about grief in animals and to compare this to what we know in science. The survey revealed that 90% of the general public believed that some or all animals can experience grief, with 23% believing that all animals can grieve. They attributed grief more to companion animals and animals with higher level cognitive abilities than to farm animals and animals that may be feared. It is concluded that public belief about grief in animals extends beyond scientific evidence, and that educating people about scientific findings and management practices connected with grief and separation distress may improve the welfare of farm and laboratory animals.
    Keywords:
    animals, animal welfare, emotion, grief, public attitudes, separation
    ANZSRC Field of Research:
    060801 Animal Behaviour
    Copyright Holder:
    Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
    Copyright Notice:
    © 2013 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire AL4 8AN, UK
    Rights:
    This digital work is protected by copyright. It may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use: Any use you make of these documents or images must be for research or private study purposes only, and you may not make them available to any other person. You will recognise the author's and publishers rights and give due acknowledgement where appropriate.
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