SCIENCE GROUP REVIEW 2014 6
An animal's behaviour provides information about their needs,
preferences and internal subjective state. However, not all those
who come into contact or interact with animals are able to recognise
or understand the behaviour which is being displayed and this
can impact upon animal welfare and public safety. In 2014, we
commissioned Lili Chin, an illustrator based in the United States,
to develop a series of drawings for dogs and cats which shows how
body language can differ depending on whether an animal is feeling
pleasure, anxiety, threatened or angry. These illustrations will be used
in a variety of different platforms including the RSPCA's website and
published pet care guides.
HELPING OWNERS UNDERSTAND DOG AND CAT BEHAVIOUR
We have already used the dog
illustrations to produce resources
for promoting safety around
dogs which aim to reduce the
dog bite risk to children.
In 2013, statistics from the Health
and Social Care Information
Centre found that the age group
with the highest number of
hospital admissions for dog bites
was children aged between 0-9
years old.
Additional hospital injury data
also shows that young children
are more likely to be bitten by a
family dog than one they don't
know. Reducing the number
of children and adults that are
bitten by dogs is likely to require
multiple approaches but a key
factor is understanding and
recognising dog behaviour and
helping parents to keep their
children safe around dogs.
To achieve this, we worked in
partnership with internationallyacclaimed
vet and animal
behaviourist Dr Sophia Yin* to
launch RSPCA materials which
aim to teach children how to
interact safely around dogs. We
have published a leaflet which
illustrates the different behaviour
which dogs use depending
on how they are feeling when
'happy', 'uncomfortable' and
'angry' and this is accompanied
by a set of golden rules for
parents to follow so that their
children stay safe and their dogs
stay happy.
The materials were launched
ahead of the summer holidays -
a time when dogs and children
generally spend more time
together and the frequency
of dog bites increases.
'' keeping children
safe and teaching
them how to behave
around dogs."
*In October 2014, Dr Sophia Yin died suddenly and unexpectedly. Her loss to the
behaviour and veterinary world is profound. However she has left an extraordinary legacy
and has improved the lives of many pets through her advice and knowledge and created
many happy and harmonious pet-owner relationships as a result.