Yang, Dan Aaron http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3893-9403
Gates, M. Carolyn
Müller, Kristina R.
Laven, Richard A.
Funding for this research was provided by:
Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University
Article History
Received: 11 February 2019
Accepted: 15 April 2019
First Online: 27 April 2019
Authors’ information
: Dr. Yang obtained his bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine and a master’s degree in vet epidemiology; he is working towards his PhD in vet science.Dr. Gates is a senior lecturer in veterinary epidemiology.Dr. Müller (or Mueller as the Massey University website) is a senior veterinarian in dairy cattle health and production.Prof Laven is a professor in production animal health and welfare.
: The New Zealand Animal Welfare Act (1999) states that if an animal is subject to a manipulation, it needs ethics approval.Section three of this act defines a manipulation as follows:In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the term manipulation, in relation to an animal, means, subject to subsections (1A) to (3), interfering with the normal physiological, behavioural, or anatomical integrity of the animal by deliberately—.(a) subjecting it to a procedure which is unusual or abnormal when compared with that to which animals of that type would be subjected under normal management or practice and which involves—.(i) exposing the animal to any parasite, micro-organism, drug, chemical, biological product, radiation, electrical stimulation, or environmental condition; or.(ii) enforced activity, restraint, nutrition, or surgical intervention; or.(b) depriving the animal of usual care;—.As washing of feet to observe BDD is normal management and the animals were observed during milking (so there is no restraint beyond normal) what was done does not meet the definition of a manipulation.The farm owners were identified by local veterinary practices and verbal agreement was obtained prior to visiting farms.
: Not applicable.
: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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