Recognition of emotion and pain by owners benefits the welfare of donkeys in a challenging working environment

Abstract

Working donkeys (Equus asinus) support human living standards globally. However, there is little information on the effect of human perceptions of emotion and pain on the welfare of working donkeys. We interviewed donkey owners (n = 332) in Pakistan to determine the relationship between human perspectives on donkey sentience: emotions and the ability to feel pain, and the routine working practices that could impact donkey welfare. The majority of donkey owners used padding under the saddle (n = 211; 63.6%; 95% CI (58.3%–68.9%)) and provided access to food (n = 213; 64.2%; 95% CI (58.9%–69.3%)) and water (n = 195; 58.7%; 95% CI (53.4%–64.1%)) during the working day. Owners reported that at some point in their donkey’s life, 65.3% (95% CI (60.2%–70.5%)) had load-associated injuries, of which 27.7% (n = 92; 95% CI (22.8%–32.5%)) were wounds, 20.5% (n = 68; 95% CI (16.1%–24.8%)) were lameness and 7.2% (n = 24; 95% CI 4.4%–10.0%) were back pain. In total, 81.3% (95% CI 77.1%–85.5%; n = 270) of owners believed that their donkeys felt pain, and 70.2% (95% CI (65.2%–75.1%; n = 233) of owners believed that their donkeys had emotions. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was used to understand the relationship between owners’ recognition of emotions and pain in donkeys and their working practices. The MCA factor map revealed two clusters, named positive and negative clusters. The positive cluster included owner’s recognition of donkey pain and emotions, the availability of food and water, use of padding under the saddle, absence of injuries along with the willingness to follow loading guidelines. The negative cluster represented practices that did not benefit donkey welfare, such as using saddles without padding and a lack of food and water during work. The presence of injuries, owners not recognizing that donkeys feel pain and emotion along with an unwillingness to follow loading guidelines were also found in the negative cluster. We show that the owners who recognized sentience in their donkeys were more likely to use practices that are good for donkey welfare. The ability of owners to identify sentience in donkeys, along with their willingness to follow welfare guidelines, are important factors in improving the lives of working donkeys.

The behavior and welfare of neglected species: some examples from fish and mammals

“…The welfare standards of working donkeys and mules remain very poor ( Valette, 2015 ; Davis, 2019 ). Some of the most common reasons for poor welfare are improper shelter, food, and water; high workload, poor handling ( e.g ., driving and whipping) and harmful practices such as nostril slitting ( Davis, 2019 ; Bukhari et al, 2023 ). In addition to this, a lack of supporting infrastructure (healthcare, good farriers, and saddlers), harsh environmental conditions, a lack of recognition in legal systems, marginalization, and absence of program enforcement also contribute to compromised working donkey and mule welfare ( Valette, 2015 ; Davis, 2019 ).…”

“…8 ) appears to be linked with increased welfare problems in working equids compared to other work areas, for example, agriculture ( Mitra & Valette, 2017 ). The welfare of working equids can be improved through the collective actions of both equid-owning communities and supporting organizations ( Bukhari et al, 2023 ).…”

“…Changes in consumer habits also have an impact on livestock welfare and behavior. Chinese medicine practitioners use gelatinous material extracted from the donkey hide as an elixir ( Bukhari et al, 2023 ). Traditionally, this material, known as ‘ejiao’, is believed to improve strength, treat anemia, and counter some psychological issues, including insomnia.…”

“…Most animal welfare investigations have been concerned with the alleviation of pain, stress, and suffering ( Briefer, Tettamanti & McElligott, 2015 ; Spence, Osman & McElligott, 2017 ; Dawkins, 2021 ). However, promotion of the positive animal welfare states has become increasingly important in animal welfare over the past 20 years ( Briefer, Tettamanti & McElligott, 2015 ; Laurijs et al, 2021 ; Dioli, 2022 ; Bukhari et al, 2023 ). Positive animal welfare and related concepts, such as “life worth living,” happiness, contentment, and good welfare, are becoming increasingly prevalent in the field of animal sciences ( Mellor & Beausoleil, 2015 ).…”

“…Buffaloes and camels thrive in hot climates and can reproduce, produce milk, and provide meat ( Marai & Haeeb, 2010 ; Dioli, 2020 , 2022 ). Donkeys, on the other hand, are utilized for work in hotter regions and to assist humans with transportation ( Bukhari & Parkes, 2023 ; Bukhari et al, 2023 ). Furthermore, donkeys also serve as production animals for high quality meat, nutritious milk, and their products are used in cosmetics ( McLean & Navas Gonzalez, 2018 ; The Donkey Sanctuary, 2023 ).…”