On Animals

Dawkins, Marian Stamp

"Through Animal Eyes: What Behavior Tells Us"

Applied Animal Behavior Science

Abstract:

Why do some people and not others become involved in social movements? We examined the relationships between a moral emotion—disgust—and animal activism, attitudes toward animal welfare, and consumption of meat. Participants were recruited through two social networking websites and included animal activists, promoters of animal use, and participants not involved in animal-related causes. They took an online survey which included measures of sensitivity to visceral disgust, attitudes toward animal welfare, and frequency of meat eating. Animal activists were more sensitive to visceral disgust than were promoters of animal use or nonaligned participants. Disgust sensitivity was positively correlated with attitudes toward animal welfare but not with meat consumption. The relationship between animal activism and vegetarianism was complex; nearly half of animal activists ate meat, and half of the vegetarians did not consider themselves to be animal activists. We argue that conflicts over the moral status of animals reflect fundamental differences in moral intuitions.

On Animals

Henry, Bill C., and Sanders, Cheryl E.,
"Bullying and Animal Abuse: Is There a Connection?"
Society & Animals

Abstract:
In recent years, school violence has become an issue of great concern among psychologists, educators, and law-enforcement officials. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between bullying, victimization, and abuse of nonhuman animals. The study assessed bullying and victimization experiences, animal abuse, and attitudes toward animals within a sample of 185 college males. Results of the study highlighted the important distinction between males involved in single episodes of animal abuse and those involved in multiple episodes of animal abuse. Further, results highlighted the significance of the bully/victim phenomenon with regard to participation in multiple acts of animal abuse. Those who were above the median with regard to both victimization and perpetration of physical bullying exhibited the highest rates of involvement in multiple acts of animal abuse and also exhibited the lowest levels of sensitivity with regard to cruelty-related attitudes pertaining to animals. The study discusses theoretical mechanisms linking bullying and animal abuse as well as directions for future research.

On Animals

Turner, Lisa

The Real Beef

Better Nutrition

Abstract:

The article provides information on health benefits of grass-fed meat. Grass-fed beef is said to be lower in fat and has lower calories than grain-fed beef. Grass-fed beef is nutritionally superior and higher in omega-3 fatty acids and contains linoleic acid. Furthermore, grass-fed meat is free of antibiotics which prevent the widespread of diseases in confined cattle and has growth hormones. It is also environmental-friendly for growing corn to feed livestock requires amounts of fossil fuel.

On Animals

L. Case

"Perspectives on domestication: The history of our relationship with man's bestfriend."

Journal of Animal Science

Abstract:

We are a nation of dog lovers. Never before in our history have we spent more time, money, and emotional energy on a group of animals that are kept solely for companionship. Pet food sales are a multi-billion dollar industry, and pet owners are spending more than 11 billion dollars each year on veterinary care. This devotion is further illustrated by the exponential growth of the pet supply industry, including increasing numbers of pet superstores, play-parks, training centers, and doggie day care centers. During the 1980s, recognition of the human-animal bond led to serious study of the roles that dogs play in our lives. These studies have shown that pets provide significant benefits to our emotional, physical, and social well being. It is ironic then, that at a time when we recognize and appreciate our bonds with animal companions, dark elements of this relationship are equally pervasive. Animal shelters in the United States kill between 3 and 4 million dogs and cats annually. Dog fighting, although outlawed, has reached epidemic proportions in some areas of the country. Episodes of animal cruelty and neglect are reported with alarming frequency in the media; so frequently that discussions of the connection between animal cruelty and human violence have become daily parlance. How then did we come to have such paradoxical perceptions and treatment of our canine companions? This question is explored through an examination of the ancestry of the dog and the prevailing myths and facts about domestication. Historical and present-day perceptions of the wolf and the impact that these attitudes may have upon perceptions ofdogs are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On Animals

Onyskiw, Judee E.
"The Link Between Family Violence and Cruelty to Pets"
Journal of Emotional Abuse


Abstract:
Family violence remains a prevalent social problem crossing racial, geographic, social, and economic boundaries (World Health Organization, 2002). Different forms of family violence often exist in the same households. In the 1980s, researchers observed a connection between acts of animal cruelty and family violence. Since then other researchers have corroborated their findings. Despite these articles appearing in the scholarly literature, there has been relatively little attention given to this issue in mainstream literature on family violence and little evidence that this information has been used to inform prevention or intervention efforts. This article summarizes the empirical evidence on the link between family violence and cruelty to family pets and discusses the implications of these connections for professionals who work with women, children, families, or animals.

On Animals+

On Animals

DeGue, Sarah and DiLillo, David
"Is Animal Cruelty a 'Red Flag' for Family Violence?: Investigating Co-Occurring Violence Toward Children, Partners, and Pets."
Journal of Interpersonal Violence



Abstract:
Cross-reporting legislation, which permits child and animal welfare investigators to refer families with substantiated child maltreatment or animal cruelty for investigation by parallel agencies, has recently been adopted in several U.S. jurisdictions. The current study sheds light on the underlying assumption of these policies--that animal cruelty and family violence commonly co-occur. Exposure to family violence and animal cruelty is retrospectively assessed using a sample of 860 college students. Results suggest that animal abuse may be a red flag indicative of family violence in the home. Specifically, about 60% of participants who have witnessed or perpetrated animal cruelty as a child also report experiences with child maltreatment or domestic violence. Differential patterns of association were revealed between childhood victimization experiences and the type of animal cruelty exposure reported. This study extends current knowledge of the links between animal- and human-directed violence and provides initial support for the premise of cross-reporting legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On Animals

Ihama, Yoko
Characteristic Features of Injuries due to Shark Attacks: A Review of 12 Cases
Legal Medicine


Abstract:
Shark attacks on humans might not occur as often as is believed and the characteristic features of shark injuries on corpses have not been extensively reviewed. We describe the characteristic features of shark injuries on 12 corpses. The analysis of these injuries might reveal the motivation behind the attacks and/or the shark species involved in the attack. Gouge marks on the bones are evidence of a shark attack, even if the corpse is decomposed. Severance of the body part at the joints without a fracture was found to be a characteristic feature of shark injuries.

On Animals

Bekoff, Marc

"INCREASING OUR COMPASSION FOOTPRINT: THE ANIMALS' MANIFESTO."
Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science

Abstract:

Our relationships with animals are wide-ranging. When people tell me that they love animals and then harm or kill them I tell them I'm glad they don't love me. Many individuals, including scientists, ignore their responsibility when they interact with animals and fail to recognize that doing something in the name of science, which usually means in the name of humans, is not an adequate reason for intentionally causing suffering, pain, or death. “Good welfare” usually is not “good enough”. Existing regulations allow animals to be treated in regrettable ways that demean us as a species. Compassion is the key for bettering both animal and human lives. A good way to make the world a more compassionate place for animals is to increase our compassion footprint. We could begin by deciding that we will not intrude on animals' lives unless our actions are in the best interests of the animals irrespective of our desires. It is simple to make more compassionate choices about what we eat and wear and how we educate students, conduct research, and entertain ourselves at the expense of animals. The time to make these changes is long overdue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"On Animals" (animals and disabilities)

Title:"HE MAKES ME SAFER"

Authors:Clark, Champ

Source:People; 4/6/2009, Vol. 71 Issue 13, p98-98, 1p, 1 color


Abstract:The article reports that a dog was trained to detect peanuts so that its owner, Riley Mers, could safely attend school. Riley Mers is in second grade, and is extremely allergic to peanuts. Her dog, Rock'O, was trained to find peanuts, and is able to protect her from traces of peanuts wherever she goes. Riley's parents, Brett and Sherry, decided to get the dog after hearing about dogs that are able to find explosives and drugs.

On Animals

Nancy Yousef
"Interpretation: A Journal of Political Philosophy"
An artical on Animal Behovior and Evolution

Abstract:
Focuses on the concept of natural man in relation to knowledge of animal behavior in `Discourse of the Origins of Inequality Among Men,' by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Evolution of orangutans; Concept of natural man; Knowledge of animal behavior; Argument of Rousseau on breeding and nurturing behavior of animals; Human development and evolutionary model.

On Animals

Petter, Mark
Musolino, Evanya
Roberts, William A.
Cole, Mark
"Can Dogs (Canis familiaris) Detect Human Deception?"
Behavioral Processes

Abstract: In a series of experiments, dogs were allowed to choose between two containers, one of which contained a food reward. In Experiments 1 and 2, a cooperative human tester pointed to the baited container on half the trials, and a deceptive human tester pointed to the empty container on the other half of the trials. Dogs learned to approach the cooperator more often than the deceiver. Inanimate cues (black and white boxes) were used as the “cooperator” and “deceiver” in Experiment 3. As was the case in Experiments 1 and 2, the dogs learned to approach the “cooperator” box more often than the “deceiver” box. Thus, the experiments indicate that dogs are sensitive to the correlation between cues and their outcomes but offer no support for the idea that dogs understand human intentionality.

On Animals

Molnar, Csaba
"Dogs discriminate between barks: The effect of context and identity of the caller"
Journal of Behavioural processes

Abstract

In the present study we explored whether dogs (Canis familiaris) are able to discriminate between conspecific barks emitted in different contexts recorded either from the same or different individuals. Playback experiments were conducted with dogs using barks as stimuli in a habituation–dishabituation paradigm. Barks were recorded in two contexts (stranger at the fence and when the dog was left alone) from different individuals. We found that dogs distinguished between barks emitted in these two contexts and were also able to discriminate between different individuals which were barking in the same context. These findings suggest that dog bark may carry context- and individual-specific information for the conspecifics.

On Animals

Ascione, Frank R.
Shapiro, Kenneth
"People and Animals, Kindness and Cruelty: Research Directions and Policy Implications"
Journal of Social Issues

This article addresses the challenges of defining and assessing animal abuse, the relation between animal abuse and childhood mental health, the extensive research on animal abuse and intimate partner violence, and the implication of these empirical findings for programs to enhance human and animal welfare. Highlighted are recent developments and advances in research and policy issues on animal abuse. The reader is directed to existing reviews of research and areas of focus on the expanding horizon of empirical analyses and programmatic innovations addressing animal abuse. Following a discussion of forensic and veterinary issues related to animal abuse, we discuss policy issues including how the status of animals as human companions at times may place animals at risk. We also review developments in the field of human–animal relations and apply the primary–secondary–tertiary prevention public health model to prevention and treatment of animal abuse. We close with a description of community networks addressing animal abuse, interagency collaborations, and new developments in animal-related law.

On Animals

Smith, Fraser W. and Schyns, Philippe G.
"Smile Through Your Fear and Sadness"
Psychological Science

Abstract:
It is well established that animal communication signals have adapted to the evolutionary pressures of their environment. For example, the low-frequency vocalizations of the elephant are tailored to long-range communications, whereas the high-frequency trills of birds are adapted to their more localized acoustic niche. Like the voice, the human face transmits social signals about the internal emotional state of the transmitter. Here, we address two main issues: First, we characterized the spectral composition of the facial features signaling each of the six universal expressions of emotion (happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger, and surprise). From these analyses, we then predicted and tested the effectiveness of the transmission of emotion signals over different viewing distances. We reveal a gradient of recognition over viewing distances constraining the relative adaptive usefulness of facial expressions of emotion (distal expressions are good signals over a wide range of viewing distances; proximal expressions are suited to closer-range communication).

On Animals

Kordower, Jeffrey H.
" Animal Rights Terrorists: What Every Neuroscientist Should Know."
Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract:

In this article the author discusses the tactics used by animal activists to forward their agenda in the U.S. He is critical on the violent attacks done by some animal-rights activists on members of the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) in California, Utah, and Oregon. Moreover, he advices members of the SfN to sign in on a website created by University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and download the documents that would be presented before any attacks would occur.

CHRISTIAN THE LION

During our discussion of Alice Walker's "Am I Blue?" Nat mentioned another interspecies connection in the story of Christian the lion. Here's a link to one of many YouTube videos on the lion:

On Animals

Ascione, Frank R., and Shapiro Kenneth
"People and Animals, Kindness and Cruelty: Research Directions and Policy Implications"
Journal of Social Issues

Abstract:
This article addresses the challenges of defining and assessing animal abuse, the relation between animal abuse and childhood mental health, the extensive research on animal abuse and intimate partner violence, and the implication of these empirical findings for programs to enhance human and animal welfare. Highlighted are recent developments and advances in research and policy issues on animal abuse. The reader is directed to existing reviews of research and areas of focus on the expanding horizon of empirical analyses and programmatic innovations addressing animal abuse. Following a discussion of forensic and veterinary issues related to animal abuse, we discuss policy issues including how the status of animals as human companions at times may place animals at risk. We also review developments in the field of human–animal relations and apply the primary–secondary–tertiary prevention public health model to prevention and treatment of animal abuse. We close with a description of community networks addressing animal abuse, interagency collaborations, and new developments in animal-related law.

ON ANIMALS

Herzog, Harold A., and Lauren Golden,
“Moral Emotions and Social Activism: The Case of Animal Rights"
Journal of Social Issues

Abstract:
Why do some people and not others become involved in social movements? We examined the relationships between a moral emotion—disgust—and animal activism, attitudes toward animal welfare, and consumption of meat. Participants were recruited through two social networking websites and included animal activists, promoters of animal use, and participants not involved in animal-related causes. They took an online survey which included measures of sensitivity to visceral disgust, attitudes toward animal welfare, and frequency of meat eating. Animal activists were more sensitive to visceral disgust than were promoters of animal use or nonaligned participants. Disgust sensitivity was positively correlated with attitudes toward animal welfare but not with meat consumption. The relationship between animal activism and vegetarianism was complex; nearly half of animal activists ate meat, and half of the vegetarians did not consider themselves to be animal activists. We argue that conflicts over the moral status of animals reflect fundamental differences in moral intuitions.

SCHOLARLY VS. POPULAR TEXTS

Click here for a handout that lists some distinctions between scholarly and popular texts.