Rough Handling
Humans’ handling of sheep is often rough, unjustifiably and unnecessarily so. It would appear that rough handling stems from a mindset that a) perceives sheep as items rather than as living, sentient, creatures, b) does not have high regard for sheep, c) follows traditional practice without questioning it.
Now that sheep in the UK have legal recognition of being sentient - they have feelings, so they experience fear and stress, feel pain - any human behaviour towards sheep which does not recognise that sentience is unacceptable.
In essence it seems that rough handling happens due to those in the sheepfarming world - sheepfarmers, handlers, drovers, shearers etc - often seeing sheep as inanimate objects rather than as live feeling beings like humans. Moreover, sheep do not seem to be looked on as individuals. In general, the process of sheep handling is not characterised by sufficient care and compassion.
While some handling of sheep occurs outside the farm, some of it does not. What happens on a farm is not usually seen - unless that farm features on television or it holds open days for the public. Both situations are hardly likely to represent routine circumstances. In the routine of the sheep farm, main handling of sheep will likely to be moving them and attending to them. Activity at shows can be seen. Largely, only those persons whose work is involved with sheep are at sales - therefore farmers (and their families), auctioneers and their staff, livestock transporters. Few people, other than slaughterhouse operatives, get to see what happens in a slaughterhouse.
Both DEFRA and the RSPCA both define how handling should and should not be.
DEFRA states
‘Sheep should not be caught by the fleece alone. They should be handled or restrained by means of a hand or an arm under the neck (holding the neck wool, if necessary) with the other arm placed on or around the rear. Lifting or dragging sheep by the fleece, tail, ears, horns or legs is unacceptable. Care should be taken with horns, which may be broken off if sheep are roughly handled.’ (Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock: Sheep, August 2003).
DEFRA has also provided the Guidance document ‘Livestock at farm shows and markets: welfare regulations’ (last updated 18th June 2019).
The RSPCA instructs
‘Sheep must be handled:
a) quietly and calmly at all times
b) only as firmly as is necessary to keep the animal safe and under control, and
c) with care to avoid unnecessary pain and distress.
The behaviour of sheep must be taken into account when they are being moved, so as to avoid unnecessary fear or distress and potential compromises to their welfare.’
Among information it then gives is
‘Sheep may baulk at apparent dead ends, shadows and changes in the in the colour/pattern of flooring.’
The RSPCA goes on to say
‘Sheep must not be caught by the fleece alone, nor lifted or dragged by the fleece, limbs, ears or tail, nor roughly handled by the horns.’
It provides the information ‘Horns, particularly of young sheep, can be damaged or broken if sheep are roughly handled by them.’
The handling instructions then are
‘Sheep must be handled or restrained by means of a hand or arm under the neck (holding, but not pulling, the neck wool if necessary) with the other arm placed on or around the rear.
Electric goads must not be present or used at any site.
Sticks must not be used for hitting sheep.’
It then gives the information ‘Sticks or other benign (non-harmful) handling aids may only be used as extensions of the arms.’
The last instruction is
‘Heavily pregnant ewes (those in the last two months of pregnancy) must:
a) only be handled when absolutely necessary, and
b) be handled with care to avoid distress and injury which may result in premature lambing.’
The information follows ‘The last two months of pregnancy is a critical time for the ewe as this is when the vast majority of foetal growth occurs. It is therefore important to minimise stress during this time. Handling should be kept to a minimum, and only when necessary, such as to monitor their body condition or to administer veterinary treatments.’
(RSPCA welfare standards Sheep, August 2023)
In its ‘Sheep welfare issues’ document the RSPCA gives this handling summary
‘Sheep are prey animals that can be easily frightened, stressed or injured by inappropriate handling. They should always be handled carefully, and should not be unnecessarily isolated from other sheep for long periods.’
Some rough handling of sheep seems to be driven by human requirement, actual or perceived, for speed. This is especially so at a sale where a lot of sheep need to be put through the whole sale process, and to be well-seen by all viewers, in a certain amount of time. So, sheep are shoved and harried about and risk being hurt or bruised as drovers/handlers move them around - quickly.
Rough handling of sheep should never happen. When sheep handling is necessary, sheep should be handled with more care, more consideration, more sensitivity, and more gentleness - such as they display to us.