afstudeerwerkstuk "ingrijpen bij ingrepen - Animal Freedom

SUMMARY
Castration is realized by many animal species. Three categories, in relation to castration, are described in
this investigation. These three categories are the pets, zoo animals and farming animals. Castration is
morally become a sensitive subject with regard to the castration of piglets. The question is, if this will
count for other species too. Cutting into a healthy animal, is mostly seen as unacceptable. This mutilation
has consequences for the animal itself, and the intercourse with the animal. Nowadays, there are a few
notions of the ethical problems which humans can have on the castration of animals. With this research
these problems will become clearer, with result that there will be more insight in the issues around castration.
The purpose of this investigation is to survey the possible ethical issues in regard to castration. This
investigation is done in order by the Lectoraat Dierenwelzijn of the Van Hall Instituut, and could be helpful
for the request of subsidy for further investigation. With the help of the model of Duncan en Fraser,
the possible ethical problems can be noticed. This model is divided into two parts; the animals-focussed
assay and the human-focussed assay. By literature study and interviews this model can be used and filled
in.
The present situation in The Netherlands, in relation to the castration of animals, includes legislation, different
castration methods, why and how castration is been realized, and the available alternatives. Legislation
is an important factor concerning castration. There are several laws administrated to castration, including
the Gezondheids- en Welzijnswet voor Dieren (GWWD) and the Ingrepenbesluit. Concerning a
few aspects of the legislation, The Netherlands will be depended on Europe. This counts mainly for the
castration of piglets in the piggery. To realize the discard of castration, the EU-legislation should first of
all been adjusted.
There are several reasons to castrate an animal. A reason for castration can have a medical-veterinary
background, but also practical or ethological. Most reasons to decide to castrate an animal, are similar
with a lot of animal species. These reasons are the reduction of aggressive behaviour towards humans and
animals, and the reduction of the sexual drive. Besides this, castration will also prevent unwanted offspring.
The realization of castration will be happen by a veterinarian or another authorized person. Anaesthetic
is used by this operation and mostly the same castration method is been used too. Pigs are an exception
on this, before the age of four weeks they can be castrate without anaesthetic. Besides the surgical
castration, there are also other techniques to stop the reproduction of animals (temporary). The advantage
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