Abstract
Simple SummaryMost people think the welfare of non-human animals matters. However, when it comes to rats and mice labeled as ‘pests’, welfare generally appears less important. Together with stakeholders in the field of pest management, we are working to develop a framework for less harmful rodent control that can be used by pest controllers. An online survey was carried out in order to find out to what extent Dutch pest controllers take the welfare of rats and mice into account as part of their profession. Our findings show that respondents pay attention to animal welfare and believe that some methods used cause severe animal suffering. Also, they think there are situations in which more attention for preventive methods (e.g., cleaning, removing food sources, or closing holes in a building) benefits both humans and pest animals. They indicate, however, that it is sometimes hard to include animal welfare in their work. An important reason for this is that clients do not always want to invest sufficient money in prevention. The findings of this study are useful for further conversations with pest controllers and their clients on how to safeguard animal welfare. Furthermore, they are relevant to the framework we are developing.When non-human animals are labeled as ‘pests’, their moral status and welfare seem relatively unimportant. In a multi-stakeholder project, we develop an assessment frame for a more responsible rodent management that includes animal welfare. An online survey among 129 Dutch pest controllers was carried out in order to find out more about pest controllers’ attitudes about animal welfare. Respondents indicate to consider animal welfare in their job. They see differences in the welfare impact of different rodent control methods. A dilemma may occur when methods with a high impact, such as rodenticides, are ofttimes used in practice. Respondents also indicate that in different real-life scenarios (the hospital kitchen vs. the private backyard), a different weight may be attributed to the importance of animal welfare. Almost half of the respondents encounter difficulties when weighing animals against human interests. The problems are mainly related to clients who are not willing to invest sufficient money in preventive methods, where respondents do believe in. Some differences were found between respondents depending on membership of a professional association for pest controllers. The results of this study are relevant input for focus groups with pest controllers and their clients and for the development of the aforementioned assessment frame.
Highlights
Discussions about the treatment and welfare of non-human animals usually concern livestock, companion animals, laboratory animals, or large wild animals
The online survey was completed by 129 Dutch pest controllers, mostly male (93.8%)
Dutch pest controllers participating in the present survey indicate that they take the welfare of pest rodents into consideration as part of their job
Summary
Discussions about the treatment and welfare of non-human animals (hereafter ‘animals’) usually concern livestock, companion animals, laboratory animals, or large wild animals. The range of human-animal interactions includes many more animals. These animals are neither wild, nor domesticated. Living their lives amidst humans, between nature, and culture, these animals, such as commensal rats, house mice, and pigeons can be considered liminal [1]. E.g., food safety, human and animal health, hygiene, and safety of stables, all over the world, unspecified but large numbers of rats (Rattus norvegicus [2] and Rattus rattus [3]) and house mice (Mus musculus [3]) are killed (with several methods inflicting significant levels of suffering [4]) because they are perceived as ‘pests’ or ‘vermin’.
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