Pigs' capacity to experience feelings and to suffer from tail lesion, ear lesion and lameness: Exploring citizens and pig farm and abattoir workers' knowledge and perceptions

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dc.contributor.authorTeixeira, Dayane Lemos
dc.contributor.authorSalazar, Laura C.
dc.contributor.authorEnriquez-Hidalgo, Daniel
dc.contributor.authorHotzel, Maria Jose
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-20T20:09:58Z
dc.date.available2025-01-20T20:09:58Z
dc.date.issued2023
dc.description.abstractThe aim of this study was to gain insight into the perceptions of pig farm and abattoir workers as well as lay citizens regarding (1) sentience and (2) positive (intelligent and friendly) and negative (gluttonous, stubborn and dirty) attributes of pigs. We also aimed to investigate the (3) knowledge and perceptions of pig farm and abattoir workers on tail lesion, ear lesion and lameness in pigs and (4) the opinion of lay citizens regarding the likelihood of tail lesions, ear lesions, and lameness causing suffering in pigs and affecting meat quality. Chilean pig farm workers (n = 116), pig abattoir workers (n = 95), and lay citizens (n = 708) were invited on farm, at the abattoir and in public places, respectively, to participate in a survey. Answers were indicated using a 5-point Likert scale (0 = totally disagree; 4 = totally agree). Data were analysed using generalized linear models, including recruitment place and socio-demographic data as predictor variables. Female and lay citizens attributed pigs a higher capacity to experience feelings than male participants and pig farm and abattoir workers (p < 0.05). Lay citizens and workers recruited on farm described pigs as being more intelligent and friendly than those workers recruited at the abattoir (p < 0.001); recruitment place and sex were not associated with participants' perception regarding negative attributes of pigs (p > 0.05). Most lay citizens considered that tail lesions, ear lesions and lameness are likely to cause suffering in pigs and older participants had higher odds of agreeing that tail and ear lesions are likely to affect meat quality (p < 0.05). Finally, the risk factors for tail lesion, ear lesions and lameness pointed out by pig farm and abattoir workers is in line with what has been suggested by experts. Our findings contribute to understand the perception and values of all stakeholders regarding animal welfare, as it is crucial to improve the sustainability of animal production systems.
dc.description.funderANID (CONICYT), project FONDECYT
dc.fuente.origenWOS
dc.identifier.doi10.1371/journal.pone.0286188
dc.identifier.issn1932-6203
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286188
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/92031
dc.identifier.wosidWOS:000996075100076
dc.issue.numero5
dc.language.isoen
dc.revistaPlos one
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subject.ods13 Climate Action
dc.subject.odspa13 Acción por el clima
dc.titlePigs' capacity to experience feelings and to suffer from tail lesion, ear lesion and lameness: Exploring citizens and pig farm and abattoir workers' knowledge and perceptions
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen18
sipa.indexWOS
sipa.trazabilidadWOS;2025-01-12
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