Should The Domestication of Pets Be Banned?
Abstract
Domesticated animals have been around for centuries across the globe. While many promote the taming of these animals for the pet trade, still zoologists, ecologists, emergency room physicians, and victims of pet attack would beg to differ. This dissertation examines the pros and cons of the pet trade. The document compares the benefits of having these animals kept close to human kind, and also asserts what the negative consequences are of having these once wild animals around humans. This analysis of ecosystems, animal populations versus human population, and psychology proposes reformation of a growing complex issue.
Keywords: balance, attacks, disease, therapy, safety, public health, animal welfare
Dogs, cats, and birds – oh my! Just mentioning these common domesticated animals can often illicit the response of a smile or giggling in some, but also grimacing or tears for others. Domesticated pets appear to be the cornerstone of many homes worldwide adding warmth, comfort, protection, and amusement to many families. However, has one ever considered how these animals even came to be “pets”? As stated in the Missouri University website, “humans began domesticating animals more than 10,000 years ago beginning with dogs” (University of Missouri, n.d). For felines, the oldest of domesticated cat ancestors date around 70,000 and 100,000 years ago in the middle east (Handwerk, 2007). The business of the pet trade may seem innocent enough on the surface after all people have been doing it for thousands of years, but does the length of time that humans have been practicing this make it morally acceptable? In North America slavery lasted for 245 years, but that certainly did not make slavery okay. Since, all of these animals were wild at one time, what makes taming these animals for our personal gain right – or is it right? Are there consequences for removing these animals from the wild in order to turn them into pets – and if so, what are they?
Work Animal’s vs Pets
In modern times, individuals often find canine units serving with the police force, in the military, at airports, and at border crossing points between countries. These dogs have been trained to detect drugs, bombs, and also to search and rescue individuals trapped inside the fallen rubble and debris of collapsed buildings, due to natural disasters or attacks. The valuable skills of these working canines have proven repeatedly to save many lives, ensuring the safety of both civilian and also military personnel; in some cases, they have also served as deterrents for bombing activity (Logan, 2010).
The nursing home facilities at Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Crestview Manor have both been gifted with the presence of a cat which has successfully predicted the death of some of their patients. These facilities have found much value in the skill of these felines that allow both staff and family members a small window of opportunity to prepare and say their final goodbyes (Hughes, 2015).
Not only are these animals supportive in nursing home and hospice settings, but they are also helpful in mental health institutions. Cynthia Chandler (2001), researcher of animal therapy studies expresses in her article, “Animal-Assisted Therapy in Counseling and School Settings,” reasons that these therapy pets provide trust, relaxation, and confidence to uncooperative patients. “These ‘co-therapists’ may be of assistance to counselors when working with withdrawn and non-communicative counselees. The presence of an animal has been found to lower anxiety and motivate the counselee's participation in therapy.” With all the hard work that these animals are performing, certainly they are fed only the best, top quality, nutritional meals right? After all, they’ve certainly earned it.
Pet Nutrition – Do they have a healthy diet, and what diseases are they subjected to?
It is common knowledge that obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States. The contributing factors to that obesity are not only lack of exercise but also poor choices when it comes to food. Much of one’s diet consists of processed foods – these are foods that are not simply picked from a tree, vine, or bush and washed and eaten. No, these are foods that are taken to manufacturing plants and stripped of their nutrients by overheating, adding cleansers, and synthetic ingredients which also contributes to digestive disorders, diabetes and diseases such as cancer. Similarly, pets are not exempt from these diseases that people suffer from, as they are also subjected to these processed foods when fed human table scraps. Pets would not eat this type of food in the wild. Obviously, these animals cannot cook their foods, so they usually eat raw unprocessed foods in the wild (Wolfe, 2012).
Not only are they subjected to these types of diseases from the foods that humans feed them, spaying and neutering is also a contributing factor as well. According to Dr. Karen Beckman (2013), an integrative wellness veterinarian, having a dog spayed or neutered increases the risk of the animal developing the following diseases: hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament tear, lymphosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and mast cell tumors. Humans realized after having these pets for so long, that with no predators to keep the numbers of these canines and felines in check, their populations in the community are growing. Currently, there are not enough humans that can or want to care for these animals, which is reflected in the increasing populations of pets in animal shelters. Due to the issue of overcrowding, many of these shelters have resorted to euthanizing the animals. Franklin County Animal Shelter prides itself in the on-going education of its community and caring for the welfare of pets. The following 2014 chart from Franklin County Animal Shelter shows the percentages of dogs being euthanized and the reasons for putting them to sleep:
The chart to the left shows Euthanasia numbers of cats, and the reasons during the years shown in Hamilton Ontario.
This reality speaks to the cheapness of these animals’ lives, as seen by human beings. The numbers mirror that they have become another commodity, thrown away like garbage when they fail to serve a purpose in an efficient way that humans would have them. This lack of respect of life leads to puppy mills and people seeking ownership of imported exotic animals as well.
So what are the risks to humans, and is there a line on what animals can be pets?
Doctor’s Laurel Holmquist and Anne Elixhauser of the U.S. government’s statistics and research team provided the following chart displaying numbers of dog bite occurrences that have led to emergency room visits and also the age ranges of the bite victims.
So what are the risks to humans, and is there a line on what animals can be pets?
Doctor’s Laurel Holmquist and Anne Elixhauser of the U.S. government’s statistics and research team provided the following chart displaying numbers of dog bite occurrences that have led to emergency room visits and also the age ranges of the bite victims.
The bars in the graph display that these are not just occasional incidences, but sadly common for individuals to be attacked by these animals especially for infants and elderly people (Holmquist & Elixhauser, 2010). Aside from the physical damages endured from experiencing an attack by these animals, many victims have had to go through years of therapy particularly the younger children, which some become triggered when they see a dog as a result of the trauma suffered incurred from being attacked. Therefore, when it comes to mental health, what typically manifests are both a light and dark side. Pets can be just as harmful emotionally as they can be healing.
Something else to consider is the risk of public contamination in the pet population from diseases of exotic species being introduced from other countries. Katherine Smith, biologist of Brown University, in her interview for National Science Foundation’s Wildlife Trade Threatens Public Health and Ecosystems, addresses the topic of public health, due to the import of poorly regulated and unclassified species. "The threat to public health is real, as the majority of emerging diseases come from wildlife," said Smith. "Most of these imported animals originate in Southeast Asia--a hotspot for emerging diseases" (2009).
Some people cannot seem to contain themselves when it comes to leashing or caging what they find to be adorable. For some strange reason, even though these animals are wild, people simply have no concept of when to say “no” on what animals to bring into human homes. This what Bob Lessnau, the Director of Animal Collections at the Cincinnati Zoo, expresses in his interview Pet owners turn to zoo's for relief. He admits that no matter what state he is employed in, every zoo he has worked for has been called by a pet owner asking the zoo for aid. In the interview, Lessnau points out:
“These individuals want us to take an animal that has grown too large to manage or its cuteness has worn off; they do not comprehend what they are getting into by owning the animals. People look to zoos as a sanctuary. They do not realize there is a limit of space per animal. Sometimes zoos have taken in these animals that turn out to be unhealthy, and they are not always able to be saved. Another thing people do not know, is that some of these animals are being acquired through the poaching of the animal’s parents.” (2016)
Another issue with owning an exotic pet is pet attacks. One well-publicized account of a pet attack on a human occurred in 2009 when Sandra Herold was entertaining a longtime family friend. Her 200-pound chimpanzee named Travis was well acquainted with this visiting friend who he had known for ages; however, that did not deter the chimpanzee from biting and severely mauling Charla Nash’s face. Unfortunately, Travis [who at the time was suffering from Lyme disease, which in rare cases is linked to psychotic behavior] was later shot and killed by the police (Niver, 2014, p. 22).
As reported by Jenny Novak, Nonnative Species Outreach and Education Coordinator of Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission:
“Burmese pythons have been reported in Florida since the late 1970s. The pet trade is the most common pathway by which this species has found its way into natural environments. Pythons are a nonnative species, and we also consider them to be invasive, since they negatively impact our native species. When pythons are small, they are eaten just like native snakes. However, when they reach a large size, on the order of 6’ long and greater, they become a top predator. I suppose that native snakes also compete with pythons for food, but only when pythons are small and are consuming prey such as rats. None of our native snakes grow large enough to consume prey such as white-tailed deer.
For the most part, Burmese pythons impact native wildlife because they’re a top predator. They also eat exotic animals such as black rats, but we’re concerned when they consume natives. It’s a bigger problem when pythons consume threatened and endangered species. There has been research project that showed pythons significantly decreased the numbers of small and mid-sized mammals when concentrated in an area, so it’s possible that in areas where python density is high, native mammals may be highly impacted.” (2016)
Predator Pets – Where do they fit in the grand scheme of things?
Many know the basics of the circle of life. A common teaching of basic science is there are trees and vegetation that are eaten by herbivores, these herbivores get eaten by the omnivores and carnivores, and this intricate chain is what keeps the balance of various species on the planet. When we look at wolves, for example, if we did not have wolves, we would have an overpopulation of elk. An overpopulation of elk presents a serious problem for all animals that depend on trees, which give life giving oxygen. The elk eat the trees, and human clear cut thousands of acres of forest for various reasons. If we are losing more trees than are replaced, we face difficulties trying to breath clean, healthy oxygen. Therefore, predators maintain a crucial balance of the ecosystem by keeping elk and other ungulate populations under control (Shuster, Vigna, Tontonoz, & Sinha, 2014, p. 420). Another contributing factor to the destruction of the ecosystem is when an animal is domesticated as a pet. In order to domesticate a pet, it would first have to be removed from the wild. Since exotic animals are predators, people should really think what effect removing these animals from the wild have on the balance of the ecosystem.
What’s the solution?
If the utilization of canine and feline skills in the work place does not contribute to the consumerism of these furry employees, the first solution to eliminating dogs and cats as pets is to seek pregnant and lactating canines (wolves) and cats in the wild so that new litters of pets could be left near the location of these new mothers. Studies have shown many times that these new mothers often care for babies that are not their own, even outside of their own species, due to their maternal instincts. The second solution is not a pretty one, but based on the numbers of these animals that are being killed it would be practical to keep these animals in the circle of life via the food chain. Cultures in Asia are well-known for eating dogs as part of their diet. Of course, many dislike the idea of Fido being eaten, but if the dog is going to be euthanized, then death is death. At least the life went to fulfill a purpose instead of being treated disrespectfully. When it comes to importing exotic animals for the purpose of pets, that activity should cease and the business practice banned completely.
Something else to consider is the risk of public contamination in the pet population from diseases of exotic species being introduced from other countries. Katherine Smith, biologist of Brown University, in her interview for National Science Foundation’s Wildlife Trade Threatens Public Health and Ecosystems, addresses the topic of public health, due to the import of poorly regulated and unclassified species. "The threat to public health is real, as the majority of emerging diseases come from wildlife," said Smith. "Most of these imported animals originate in Southeast Asia--a hotspot for emerging diseases" (2009).
Some people cannot seem to contain themselves when it comes to leashing or caging what they find to be adorable. For some strange reason, even though these animals are wild, people simply have no concept of when to say “no” on what animals to bring into human homes. This what Bob Lessnau, the Director of Animal Collections at the Cincinnati Zoo, expresses in his interview Pet owners turn to zoo's for relief. He admits that no matter what state he is employed in, every zoo he has worked for has been called by a pet owner asking the zoo for aid. In the interview, Lessnau points out:
“These individuals want us to take an animal that has grown too large to manage or its cuteness has worn off; they do not comprehend what they are getting into by owning the animals. People look to zoos as a sanctuary. They do not realize there is a limit of space per animal. Sometimes zoos have taken in these animals that turn out to be unhealthy, and they are not always able to be saved. Another thing people do not know, is that some of these animals are being acquired through the poaching of the animal’s parents.” (2016)
Another issue with owning an exotic pet is pet attacks. One well-publicized account of a pet attack on a human occurred in 2009 when Sandra Herold was entertaining a longtime family friend. Her 200-pound chimpanzee named Travis was well acquainted with this visiting friend who he had known for ages; however, that did not deter the chimpanzee from biting and severely mauling Charla Nash’s face. Unfortunately, Travis [who at the time was suffering from Lyme disease, which in rare cases is linked to psychotic behavior] was later shot and killed by the police (Niver, 2014, p. 22).
As reported by Jenny Novak, Nonnative Species Outreach and Education Coordinator of Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission:
“Burmese pythons have been reported in Florida since the late 1970s. The pet trade is the most common pathway by which this species has found its way into natural environments. Pythons are a nonnative species, and we also consider them to be invasive, since they negatively impact our native species. When pythons are small, they are eaten just like native snakes. However, when they reach a large size, on the order of 6’ long and greater, they become a top predator. I suppose that native snakes also compete with pythons for food, but only when pythons are small and are consuming prey such as rats. None of our native snakes grow large enough to consume prey such as white-tailed deer.
For the most part, Burmese pythons impact native wildlife because they’re a top predator. They also eat exotic animals such as black rats, but we’re concerned when they consume natives. It’s a bigger problem when pythons consume threatened and endangered species. There has been research project that showed pythons significantly decreased the numbers of small and mid-sized mammals when concentrated in an area, so it’s possible that in areas where python density is high, native mammals may be highly impacted.” (2016)
Predator Pets – Where do they fit in the grand scheme of things?
Many know the basics of the circle of life. A common teaching of basic science is there are trees and vegetation that are eaten by herbivores, these herbivores get eaten by the omnivores and carnivores, and this intricate chain is what keeps the balance of various species on the planet. When we look at wolves, for example, if we did not have wolves, we would have an overpopulation of elk. An overpopulation of elk presents a serious problem for all animals that depend on trees, which give life giving oxygen. The elk eat the trees, and human clear cut thousands of acres of forest for various reasons. If we are losing more trees than are replaced, we face difficulties trying to breath clean, healthy oxygen. Therefore, predators maintain a crucial balance of the ecosystem by keeping elk and other ungulate populations under control (Shuster, Vigna, Tontonoz, & Sinha, 2014, p. 420). Another contributing factor to the destruction of the ecosystem is when an animal is domesticated as a pet. In order to domesticate a pet, it would first have to be removed from the wild. Since exotic animals are predators, people should really think what effect removing these animals from the wild have on the balance of the ecosystem.
What’s the solution?
If the utilization of canine and feline skills in the work place does not contribute to the consumerism of these furry employees, the first solution to eliminating dogs and cats as pets is to seek pregnant and lactating canines (wolves) and cats in the wild so that new litters of pets could be left near the location of these new mothers. Studies have shown many times that these new mothers often care for babies that are not their own, even outside of their own species, due to their maternal instincts. The second solution is not a pretty one, but based on the numbers of these animals that are being killed it would be practical to keep these animals in the circle of life via the food chain. Cultures in Asia are well-known for eating dogs as part of their diet. Of course, many dislike the idea of Fido being eaten, but if the dog is going to be euthanized, then death is death. At least the life went to fulfill a purpose instead of being treated disrespectfully. When it comes to importing exotic animals for the purpose of pets, that activity should cease and the business practice banned completely.
References
Associated Press. (2010, Feb 24). Bomb-sniffing dog gets medal for heroic work. [Video
file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQnrkLtAVUE.
Becker, K. (2013, June 26). Pet Nutrition and Animal Wellness - Mercola.com. Spayed or Neutered Dogs Have Higher Disease Rates. Retrieved November 07, 2016, from http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/06/26/early-neutering-effects.aspx.
Chandler, C., & ERIC Clearinghouse on Counseling and Student Services, G. N. (2001). Animal-Assisted Therapy in Counseling and School Settings. ERIC/CASS Digest.
Handwerk, B. (2007, June 28). National Geographic News. House Cat Origin Traced to Middle Eastern Wildcat Ancestor. Retrieved November 07, 2016, from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/06/070628-cat-ancestor.html.
Holmquist, L., M.A., & Elixhauser, A., Ph.D. (2010, November). Dog bite-related emergency department visits [Chart].
In Emergency department visits and inpatient stays involving dog bites. Retrieved October 24, 2016, from https://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb101.jsp.
Hughes, B. (2015, Sept 15). Crestview Manor cat senses residents' impending death. Retrieved from http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/20150915/news/150919519.
Pet python invasion. [Email interview]. (2016, November 9).
Missouri, U.O. (n.d.). University of Missouri extension home. History of the Animal Science Industry. Retrieved November 07, 2016, from http://extension.missouri.edu/adair/documents/Livestock/History%20of%20the%20Animal%20Science%20Industry.pdf.
National Science Foundation. (2009). Wildlife trade threatens public health and ecosystems. [Press release]. Retrieved from https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id =114706.
Niver, H. M. (2014). Chimps and monkeys are not pets! NY, New York: Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Pet owners turn to zoos for relief. [Telephone interview]. (2016, October 12).
Reasons for Euthanasia [Chart]. (2015, May 15). In Franklin County dog shelter. Retrieved October 24, 2016, from http://www.franklincountydogs.com/about/statistics.cfm.
Shuster, M., Vigna, J., Tontonoz, M., & Sinha, G. (2014). Biology for a changing world (2nd Edition ed.). New York, NY: W. H. Freeman.
Wolfe, D. (2012, March 6). Raw food, super food nutrition [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VhaS6A1H9U&feature=youtu.be.
file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQnrkLtAVUE.
Becker, K. (2013, June 26). Pet Nutrition and Animal Wellness - Mercola.com. Spayed or Neutered Dogs Have Higher Disease Rates. Retrieved November 07, 2016, from http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/06/26/early-neutering-effects.aspx.
Chandler, C., & ERIC Clearinghouse on Counseling and Student Services, G. N. (2001). Animal-Assisted Therapy in Counseling and School Settings. ERIC/CASS Digest.
Handwerk, B. (2007, June 28). National Geographic News. House Cat Origin Traced to Middle Eastern Wildcat Ancestor. Retrieved November 07, 2016, from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/06/070628-cat-ancestor.html.
Holmquist, L., M.A., & Elixhauser, A., Ph.D. (2010, November). Dog bite-related emergency department visits [Chart].
In Emergency department visits and inpatient stays involving dog bites. Retrieved October 24, 2016, from https://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb101.jsp.
Hughes, B. (2015, Sept 15). Crestview Manor cat senses residents' impending death. Retrieved from http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/20150915/news/150919519.
Pet python invasion. [Email interview]. (2016, November 9).
Missouri, U.O. (n.d.). University of Missouri extension home. History of the Animal Science Industry. Retrieved November 07, 2016, from http://extension.missouri.edu/adair/documents/Livestock/History%20of%20the%20Animal%20Science%20Industry.pdf.
National Science Foundation. (2009). Wildlife trade threatens public health and ecosystems. [Press release]. Retrieved from https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id =114706.
Niver, H. M. (2014). Chimps and monkeys are not pets! NY, New York: Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Pet owners turn to zoos for relief. [Telephone interview]. (2016, October 12).
Reasons for Euthanasia [Chart]. (2015, May 15). In Franklin County dog shelter. Retrieved October 24, 2016, from http://www.franklincountydogs.com/about/statistics.cfm.
Shuster, M., Vigna, J., Tontonoz, M., & Sinha, G. (2014). Biology for a changing world (2nd Edition ed.). New York, NY: W. H. Freeman.
Wolfe, D. (2012, March 6). Raw food, super food nutrition [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VhaS6A1H9U&feature=youtu.be.
Commentary
So, let's look at this from a spiritual angle.
"As within, So without" - "As above, so below"
Let us say that the Earth herself is a body, and that every organism that breeds (as 1 whole unit) makes up some organ on her body much-like we have organs that make up our human bodies as a whole. For example, we have a tongue, 2 eyes, a liver, kidneys, etc.
So, let's pretend that cats are the Eyes of the Earth, dogs are the Cochlea of the Earth . . .and say humans are the prefrontal cortex (because well, those gosh darn arrogant egos). So the human cells (because each human being is 1 cell that collectively makes up the whole frontal lobe of the Earth's brain) decide that: "Awww, those freshly divided immature eye cells are adorable. Let's move them here into the brain space", and "These freshly divided immature cochlea cells are irresistibly cute, let's keep them".
Well, what happens if a Scientist extracts cells from the eyes and cochlea, and displaces them by injecting those cells into the brain, continuously over time? How harmonious can the body remain with cells being displaced? Can the eyes continue to function properly, by having their cells continually removed? Can the ears hear clearly, if the cochlea cells are continually removed? And what of the brain itself? What dis-ease would this create if these eye and cochlea cells continue to divide and reproduce as they are naturally meant to?
Every being, every life form (even bacteria and viruses) have a purpose on this planet. There is zero symbiotic or harmonious to displacing animals from their natural environment for the use or entertainment of another species. This does not promote or support a natural state of homeostasis of the Earth. It's had it's consequences (side effects) to the environment, other species that are the prey of these moved/displaced animals, and psychological harm to the animals themselves through repeated abuse (during the domestication process) and also the psychological harm from a percentage of these animals attacking the humans that become bite victims, which are not always provoked.
"As within, So without" - "As above, so below"
Let us say that the Earth herself is a body, and that every organism that breeds (as 1 whole unit) makes up some organ on her body much-like we have organs that make up our human bodies as a whole. For example, we have a tongue, 2 eyes, a liver, kidneys, etc.
So, let's pretend that cats are the Eyes of the Earth, dogs are the Cochlea of the Earth . . .and say humans are the prefrontal cortex (because well, those gosh darn arrogant egos). So the human cells (because each human being is 1 cell that collectively makes up the whole frontal lobe of the Earth's brain) decide that: "Awww, those freshly divided immature eye cells are adorable. Let's move them here into the brain space", and "These freshly divided immature cochlea cells are irresistibly cute, let's keep them".
Well, what happens if a Scientist extracts cells from the eyes and cochlea, and displaces them by injecting those cells into the brain, continuously over time? How harmonious can the body remain with cells being displaced? Can the eyes continue to function properly, by having their cells continually removed? Can the ears hear clearly, if the cochlea cells are continually removed? And what of the brain itself? What dis-ease would this create if these eye and cochlea cells continue to divide and reproduce as they are naturally meant to?
Every being, every life form (even bacteria and viruses) have a purpose on this planet. There is zero symbiotic or harmonious to displacing animals from their natural environment for the use or entertainment of another species. This does not promote or support a natural state of homeostasis of the Earth. It's had it's consequences (side effects) to the environment, other species that are the prey of these moved/displaced animals, and psychological harm to the animals themselves through repeated abuse (during the domestication process) and also the psychological harm from a percentage of these animals attacking the humans that become bite victims, which are not always provoked.