Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-v9fdk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-04T21:46:30.539Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

An Assessment of Stress Caused in Sheep by Watching Slaughter of Other Sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

M H Anil ,
J Preston ,
J L McKinstry ,
R G Rodway  and
S N Brown
M H Anil*
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DY, UK
J Preston
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DY, UK
J L McKinstry
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DY, UK
R G Rodway
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DY, UK Department of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
S N Brown
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DY, UK
*
† Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The question of whether witnessing slaughter of conspecifics is distressing was investigated in sheep. Previously catheterized sheep were allowed to see the stunning and sticking (exsanguination) of other sheep. Heart rate was monitored and serial blood samples were taken to assess stress responses. Although the measurable parameter levels were generally high due to human contact and handling, there were no specific increases in response to witnessing stunning and slaughter. This work failed to produce any evidence to suggest that sheep are distressed by witnessing the slaughter act.

Keywords

animal welfaresheepslaughterstress
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 5 , Issue 4 , November 1996 , pp. 435 - 441
Copyright
© 1996 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

References

Anil, M H 1991 Reflexes and loss of sensibility following electrical stunning in pigs. Meat Science 30: 13CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Anil, M H and McKinstry, J L 1993 Results of a Survey of Pig Abattoirs in England and Wales. Meat Hygiene Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: London, UKGoogle Scholar
Anil, M H, Preston, J, Warriss, P D and Rodway, R G 1991 An assessment of the stress associated with slaughter in sheep. Animal Production 52: 579–580Google Scholar
Bracke, M 1993 Can Animals Have a Preference Not to be Killed? MSc Thesis, University of Edinburgh, ScotlandGoogle Scholar
Fordham, D P, Lincoln, G A, Ssewcnyana, E and Rodway, R G 1989 Plasma B-endorphin and Cortisol concentrations in lambs after handling transport and slaughter. Animal Production 49: 103–107Google Scholar
Gregory, N G and Wotton, S B 1984 Sheep slaughtering procedures I Survey of abattoir practice. British Veterinary Journal 140: 281–286CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gregory, N G and Wotton, S B 1985 Sheep slaughtering procedures IV Responsiveness of the brain following electrical stunning. British Veterinary Journal 141: 74–81CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1995 The Slaughter of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations No 731. HMSO: London, UKGoogle Scholar
Thomas, K M and Rodway, R G 1983 Effects of trenbolone acetate on adrenal function and hepatic enzyme activities in female rats. Journal of Endocrinology 98: 121–127CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed