Dr Ian
Duncan says pets and livestock animals live ‘much richer lives than we ever
realised’
Belfast Telegraph, Adam Withnall, 9 March 2014
 |
| Dr Ian Duncan says his aims are similar to those of the fictional character Dr Dolittle |
A scientist
claims to have developed a method for “talking” to animals, allowing owners to
ask them questions about how happy they are with their living conditions and
welfare.
Dr Ian
Duncan, emeritus chair in animal welfare at the University of Guelph, Canada,
has admitted his aims are similar to those of the fictional character Dr
Dolittle – but said his methods are based strictly on science.
Speaking to
the Sunday Times, Dr Duncan said he is ready to set out his methods publicly
after years of work across a host of livestock and pet species.
His
research previously led to changes in the regulation of battery farming for hens
and pigs in the 1980s and 1990s, and next week he will set out his new theories
on the science of animal welfare and sentience at a conference in Washington.
He told the
newspaper: “We are devising ways of ‘talking’ to animals and putting questions
to them about their welfare and happiness.
“Each
species has to be treated differently but the common factor is to devise tests
where the animals are offered a choice. If they make the same choice repeatedly
. . . it shows what they want from us.”
Dr Duncan,
who is originally from Scotland but now based in Ontario, has spoken out firmly
against the religious slaughter of animals for the production of halal and
kosher meat.
He said
there is much more to the lives of livestock animals – even farmed fish like
trout or salmon – than many people realise.
“It used to
be thought that animals were ‘dumb’, driven by programmed instincts and
responses, but now it is clear they live a much richer life than we ever
realised and can remember the past and think about the future. We can use that
knowledge to ask questions about their care and then improve it.”
Last week
John Blackwell, Britain’s top vet and the president-elect of the British
Veterinary Association, said the religious slaughter of poultry, sheep and
cattle caused unnecessary suffering to animals.
His
comments came after Denmark’s government brought in a ban on halal and kosher
slaughter on the grounds that “animal rights come before religion”.
Related Article:
Question: Dear Kryon:
I live in Spain. I am sorry if I will ask you a question you might have already
answered, but the translations of your books are very slow and I might not have
gathered all information you have already given. I am quite concerned about
abandoned animals. It seems that many people buy animals for their children and
as soon as they grow, they set them out somewhere. Recently I had the occasion
to see a small kitten in the middle of the street. I did not immediately react,
since I could have stopped and taken it, without getting out of the car. So, I
went on and at the first occasion I could turn, I went back to see if I could
take the kitten, but it was to late, somebody had already killed it. This
happened some month ago, but I still feel very sorry for that kitten. I just
would like to know, what kind of entity are these animals and how does this fit
in our world. Are these entities which choose this kind of life, like we do
choose our kind of Human life? I see so many abandoned animals and every time I
see one, my heart aches... I would like to know more about them.
Answer: Dear one,
indeed the answer has been given, but let us give it again so you all
understand. Animals are here on earth for three (3) reasons.
(1) The
balance of biological life. . . the circle of energy that is needed for you to
exist in what you call "nature."
(2) To be
harvested. Yes, it's true. Many exist for your sustenance, and this is
appropriate. It is a harmony between Human and animal, and always has. Remember
the buffalo that willingly came into the indigenous tribes to be sacrificed
when called? These are stories that you should examine again. The
inappropriateness of today's culture is how these precious creatures are
treated. Did you know that if there was an honoring ceremony at their death,
they would nourish you better? Did you know that there is ceremony that could
benefit all of humanity in this way. Perhaps it's time you saw it.
(3) To be
loved and to love. For many cultures, animals serve as surrogate children,
loved and taken care of. It gives Humans a chance to show compassion when they
need it, and to have unconditional love when they need it. This is extremely
important to many, and provides balance and centering for many.
Do animals
know all this? At a basic level, they do. Not in the way you "know,"
but in a cellular awareness they understand that they are here in service to
planet earth. If you honor them in all three instances, then balance will be
the result. Your feelings about their treatment is important. Temper your
reactions with the spiritual logic of their appropriateness and their service
to humanity. Honor them in all three cases.
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