Scicomm Article Research Studies
This section of my website is dedicated to the most important research articles and additional sources I will be using for my scicomm article, "Tailored Taste Buds."
The picture below was used from Domestication Lab Vienna's most recent study, which I discuss below.
Free-Ranging Dogs Understand Human Intentions and Adjust Their Behavioral Responses Accordingly
Bhattacharjee, Debottam, et al. “Free-Ranging Dogs Understand Human Intentions and Adjust Their Behavioral Responses Accordingly.” Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, vol. 6, 21 Dec. 2018, doi:10.3389/fevo.2018.00232.
The study “Free-Ranging Dogs Understand Human Intentions and Adjust Their Behavioral Responses Accordingly” was conducted by Debottam Bhattacharjee, a postdoctoral researcher at the City University of Hong Kong, and published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution on Dec 21, 2018. The study tested whether free-ranging dogs in India and their ability to discriminate between human gestures by observing their behaviors following positive or negative human cues. They found that dogs exhibited more proximal behaviors following friendly gestures and distant behaviors following threatening cues, demonstrating an understanding of human intentions. These results are important because it shows how dog behaviors are altered through various human interactions, a main part of life as a free-ranging dog. This article adds on to my primary article as an example of how free-ranging dogs depend on humans as a learning and safety cue. They use similar methods by including food provisioning as free-ranging dogs also use humans as a means of sustenance.
Free-Ranging Dogs Match a Human’s Preference in a Foraging Task
Cimarelli, Giulia, et al. “Free-Ranging Dogs Match a Human’s Preference in a Foraging Task.” Current Zoology, 14 Oct. 2023, doi:10.1093/cz/zoad046.
The study “Free-Ranging Dogs Match a Human’s Preference in a Foraging Task” was conducted by Guilia Cimarelli, a dog and wolf researcher, and published in Current Zoology on October 14, 2023. The study tested Moroccan free-ranging dogs and their choice when presented with two novel boxes. Half of these dogs observed humans eating from one of the boxes. The study found that dogs who observed the human eating from one box would match that choice, while the other dogs simply had to choose randomly. These results show that learning from humans is involved in dogs’ success when living among them. As my primary research article, the other two articles were citations from this study. They build upon the research conducted on free-ranging dogs or offer a comparison from a domesticated point of view, but all articles are examples of advanced cognition in dogs.
Dogs Understand the Role of a Human Partner in a Cooperative Task
Wallner Werneck Mendes, Juliana, et al. “Dogs Understand the Role of a Human Partner in a Cooperative Task.” Scientific Reports, vol. 14, no. 1, 3 May 2024, doi:10.1038/s41598-024-60772-6.
The study “Dogs Understand the Role of a Human Partner in a Cooperative Task”, published in Scientific Reports on May 3, 2024, was conducted by Juliana Wallner Werneck Mendes who works at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria. The study tested domesticated dogs and their ability or willingness to cooperate in a stag hunt game for additional rewards. They found that the dogs came to learn the human’s role as a cooperator and use them to choose the correct task. These results demonstrate how dogs can understand consequences and adjust accordingly, a marker of high intelligence. This article adds on to my primary article by showcasing how domesticated dogs also use humans to increase their success. It provides a direct comparison to show how similar free-ranging and domesticated dogs are despite different environments.
Photo: Juhku, iStock
Defining the Problem: Hunger
The following sources were the main contributions for defining the problem in my Advocacy Project
‘Stray Appetites’: A socio-ecological analysis of free-ranging dogs living alongside human communities in Bangalore, India
Bhalla, Shireen Jagriti, et al. “‘Stray Appetites’: A socio-ecological analysis of free-ranging dogs living alongside human communities in Bangalore, India.” Urban Ecosystems, vol. 24, no. 6, 16 Feb. 2021, pp. 1245–1258, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-021-01097-4.
Bhalla is an acoustician who has focused on a wide range of topics, including free-ranging dogs and ocean soundscapes. Her study, "‘Stray Appetites’: A socio-ecological analysis of free-ranging dogs living alongside human communities in Bangalore, India", was published February 16, 2021 in Urban Ecosystems. The study aimed to understand the ecological and social connections of free-ranging dogs in India. To do so, a photographic capture-recapture survey of the areas dogs frequented was conducted. Attitudes of local communities towards these dogs were also assessed. They found that density of houses, bakeries, and garbage piles were predictors of population size, with garbage being a main food source. Locals manily expressed an interest in reducing the population. These results demonstrate how opportunistic stray dogs are, and that a reliance on human food sources is present. Unlike my other studies, this article does not explicity state that hunger is an issue. However, it implicitly describes that food source is only as abundant as we make it, which eventually does not support a growing population.
Compassion, hunger and animal suffering: Scenes from Kerala, South India
Haris, Susan. “Compassion, hunger and animal suffering: Scenes from Kerala, South India.” Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, vol. 25, no. 2, 10 Mar. 2022, pp. 139–152, https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2022.2042298.
Published March 10, 2022 in Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science by Susan Harris, the study "Compassion, hunger, and animal suffering" explores the narratives surrounding free-ranging dogs during the pandemic. Haris is a Doctoral Research Scholar who has been involved extensively in animal rights activism and exploring animal-human connections. This study analyzes recent events in Kerala, India and how animals were treated during these times. Overall, Haris concluded that animals faced great cruelty, with most perceiving free-ranging dogs as dangerous. With such antagonistic relationships, stray dogs began to rely on humans that voluntarily fed them in order to avoid violence. This led to hunger and starvation throughout Kerala during these times. I used this as my main article for defining the problem outlined in my advocacy project. It was a great way for me to include appeals to pathos that supported my more logical appeals. It builds upon the article above by explaining the consequences of relying on human-provided food.
Stray Dogs and Cats Frequently Poisoned to Death in Taiwan. Activists Petition Lawmakers
“Stray Dogs and Cats Frequently Poisoned to Death in Taiwan. Activists Petition Lawmakers.” 世界愛犬聯盟, 22 Dec. 2020, www.worlddogalliance.org/stray-dogs-and-cats-frequently-poisoned-to-death-in-taiwan-activists-petitions-lawmakers/.
The World Dog Alliance focuses on a variety of issues relating to domestic and free-ranging dogs, including promotion of harmonious interaction, sharing of informative platforms and channels, and introduce sustainable management. This online article discusses the common occurence of poisoning in stray animals in Taiwan. It establishes the necessity of establishing animal protection. Similar to my other articles, this piece details the negative attitudes towards free-ranging dogs. I included this in my bibliography because it is a sub-issue to hunger; when these dogs do eat, it may not be for the better.
Photo: Kanika Soni, PAWFA
Helping the Hungry
These sources formulated the majority of my solutions section in my Advocacy Project.
Officials Propose Solution to Combat Overcrowded L.A. Animal Shelters
Gary, Myja, and John Fenoglio. “Officials Propose Solution to Combat Overcrowded L.A. Animal Shelters.” KTLA, KTLA, 16 Sept. 2023, ktla.com/news/local-news/officials-propose-solution-to-combat-overcrowded-l-a-animal-shelters/.
In this article, local news station KTLA reports how shelters have become overcrowded with animals, worsening the conditions they must survive in. They then discuss multiple solutions that the city of Los Angeles is attempting in order to alleviate the issue as well as better protect the animals still on the street. They've proposed limits on breeding licenses and are strongly promoting adoption of these pets. This is a resource that I wanted to include because it is local and can be applied around the U.S. whereas my other solutions are on a global level. Adoption also gives these dogs the possibility of a much more stable food source while also saving them from a variety of other issues.
Kannan Foundation: Feed A Stray
“Kannan Foundation: Feed A Stray.” Kannan Foundation | Feed A Stray, Kannan Animal Welfare, 26 June 2022, www.kannananimalwelfare.org/feed-a-stray.
Kannan Animal Welfare (KAW) is based in India and works towards the wellbeing of stray dogs, including fostering, spay/neutering, feeding, and medical care. This article describes a feeding network hey have put into place. They feed hundreds of dogs daily and have set up a feeder network so that the program can be expanded into communities outside their reach. They also emphasize their understanding of these dogs' dependence on humans. This was the solution that inspired my advocacy project. Although global, it is a plan that can be repeated on a local level. This source is my only one that discusses a direct change to hunger.
Spay, Neuter & Veterinary Care Program
“Spay, Neuter & Veterinary Care Program.” Global Strays, 6 Oct. 2023, globalstrays.org/programs/rural-community-spay-neuter-program/.
Global Strays is an international animal welfare organization raising awareness for important animal issues and addressing these issues in communities worldwide. This article discusses their vaccine and neutering program for stray dogs. They have established clinics in Nicaragua and Colombia for locals who did not previously have access to such resources. Neutering dogs is the only long-term solution that will help stray populations. I thought it was important to include a long-term solution in my agenda because the other sources will only alleviate the issue for a short period before the population gets out of hand again.