Perceptions of swine euthanasia among Brazilian caretakers from non-integrated swine farms
Timely and humane euthanasia is crucial for animal welfare on swine farms, yet challenges persist in its implementation, particularly in Brazil, where the responsibility often falls to caretakers lacking training. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of swine caretakers...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1513141/full |
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| author | Laya Kannan Silva Alves Laya Kannan Silva Alves Monique Danielle Pairis-Garcia Andréia Gonçalves Arruda Cecília Archangelo Ferreira de Melo Nadia de Almeida Ciriaco Gomes Roberta Yukari Hoshino Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa |
| author_facet | Laya Kannan Silva Alves Laya Kannan Silva Alves Monique Danielle Pairis-Garcia Andréia Gonçalves Arruda Cecília Archangelo Ferreira de Melo Nadia de Almeida Ciriaco Gomes Roberta Yukari Hoshino Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa |
| author_sort | Laya Kannan Silva Alves |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Timely and humane euthanasia is crucial for animal welfare on swine farms, yet challenges persist in its implementation, particularly in Brazil, where the responsibility often falls to caretakers lacking training. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of swine caretakers regarding euthanasia across non-integrated farms (ranging from 1,000 to 3,500 housed sows) and different experience levels (from less than a month to 40 years working with pigs). A total of 117 people directly working with pigs participated in a survey designed to evaluate their decision-making skills, euthanasia competencies, and understanding of Brazilian guidelines for euthanasia methods. Using Cluster analysis, we identified two distinct groups of caretakers: (1) Empathetic, self-sufficient, apathetic about euthanasia; and (2) Empathetic, knowledge seeker, uncomfortable with euthanasia. Both Clusters exhibited high empathy toward pigs and confidence in identifying sick animals but differed in their attitudes toward euthanasia. The risk factor analysis showed a tendency for younger respondents (under 36 years old) and those from smaller farms (less than 2,000 sows) were more likely to belong to Cluster 2, while older caretakers (over 36 years) and those working on larger farms (more than 2,000 housed sows) tended to belong to Cluster 1. Furthermore, a significant proportion of caretakers lacked knowledge of the euthanasia Brazilian guidelines, as evidenced by incorrect responses regarding acceptable euthanasia methods, such as performing cardiac perforation or using non-penetrating captive bolt guns on growing-finishing pigs. This study highlights the variability in caretaker experience and attitudes toward euthanasia, suggesting a critical need for targeted training programs and euthanasia protocols that address both emotional and practical aspects. Improved understanding of caretaker attitudes can enhance both human and animal welfare on farms. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2a1331fe67db4dbebb11a09e2c66ee6c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-2a1331fe67db4dbebb11a09e2c66ee6c2025-01-06T05:13:08ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-01-011110.3389/fvets.2024.15131411513141Perceptions of swine euthanasia among Brazilian caretakers from non-integrated swine farmsLaya Kannan Silva Alves0Laya Kannan Silva Alves1Monique Danielle Pairis-Garcia2Andréia Gonçalves Arruda3Cecília Archangelo Ferreira de Melo4Nadia de Almeida Ciriaco Gomes5Roberta Yukari Hoshino6Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa7Laboratory of Swine Research, Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, BrazilGlobal Production Animal Welfare Laboratory, Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United StatesGlobal Production Animal Welfare Laboratory, Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United StatesDepartment of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United StatesLaboratory of Swine Research, Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, BrazilLaboratory of Swine Research, Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, BrazilLaboratory of Swine Research, Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, BrazilLaboratory of Swine Research, Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, BrazilTimely and humane euthanasia is crucial for animal welfare on swine farms, yet challenges persist in its implementation, particularly in Brazil, where the responsibility often falls to caretakers lacking training. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of swine caretakers regarding euthanasia across non-integrated farms (ranging from 1,000 to 3,500 housed sows) and different experience levels (from less than a month to 40 years working with pigs). A total of 117 people directly working with pigs participated in a survey designed to evaluate their decision-making skills, euthanasia competencies, and understanding of Brazilian guidelines for euthanasia methods. Using Cluster analysis, we identified two distinct groups of caretakers: (1) Empathetic, self-sufficient, apathetic about euthanasia; and (2) Empathetic, knowledge seeker, uncomfortable with euthanasia. Both Clusters exhibited high empathy toward pigs and confidence in identifying sick animals but differed in their attitudes toward euthanasia. The risk factor analysis showed a tendency for younger respondents (under 36 years old) and those from smaller farms (less than 2,000 sows) were more likely to belong to Cluster 2, while older caretakers (over 36 years) and those working on larger farms (more than 2,000 housed sows) tended to belong to Cluster 1. Furthermore, a significant proportion of caretakers lacked knowledge of the euthanasia Brazilian guidelines, as evidenced by incorrect responses regarding acceptable euthanasia methods, such as performing cardiac perforation or using non-penetrating captive bolt guns on growing-finishing pigs. This study highlights the variability in caretaker experience and attitudes toward euthanasia, suggesting a critical need for targeted training programs and euthanasia protocols that address both emotional and practical aspects. Improved understanding of caretaker attitudes can enhance both human and animal welfare on farms.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1513141/fullattitudesdecision-makingon-farm euthanasiapigstimely euthanasiatraining |
| spellingShingle | Laya Kannan Silva Alves Laya Kannan Silva Alves Monique Danielle Pairis-Garcia Andréia Gonçalves Arruda Cecília Archangelo Ferreira de Melo Nadia de Almeida Ciriaco Gomes Roberta Yukari Hoshino Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa Perceptions of swine euthanasia among Brazilian caretakers from non-integrated swine farms Frontiers in Veterinary Science attitudes decision-making on-farm euthanasia pigs timely euthanasia training |
| title | Perceptions of swine euthanasia among Brazilian caretakers from non-integrated swine farms |
| title_full | Perceptions of swine euthanasia among Brazilian caretakers from non-integrated swine farms |
| title_fullStr | Perceptions of swine euthanasia among Brazilian caretakers from non-integrated swine farms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceptions of swine euthanasia among Brazilian caretakers from non-integrated swine farms |
| title_short | Perceptions of swine euthanasia among Brazilian caretakers from non-integrated swine farms |
| title_sort | perceptions of swine euthanasia among brazilian caretakers from non integrated swine farms |
| topic | attitudes decision-making on-farm euthanasia pigs timely euthanasia training |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1513141/full |
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