So there's some new research out now about animal intelligence that points to something that some of us could have told you much sooner.
In tests, sheep were able to identify and recognise a human face consistently and scored 50 out of 50 - in other words, a 100% pass rate.
And the article also reports on the pig that is a whiz at the computer consistently out-performing a Jack Russell terrier at an on-screen task, despite the Jack Russell being given a year to get it right. The conclusion? Pigs are smarter than dogs. The evidence is stacking up, and let's face it, most people wouldn't countenance eating dog, so why pigs or sheep???
Of course, it's a step in the right direction that mainstream media, (such as ABC News), has actually loosened up enough now to even countenance reporting stuff like this, (even if it means that with each story another nail is hammered into the coffin of the meat industry and the meat-eating argument in general.)
However, it's always fun to read between the lines and unveil the inherent deeply-entrenched prejudices that still exist when it comes to the issue of animal sentience. For example, the ABC reporter - David Wright - uses the word 'laughable' when describing the prospect of testing the IQ of sheep. Why is this laughable? Surely this is just an important and feasible line of science as any other? When you want to get down to the nitty gritty of animal pain, suffering, intelligence and consciousness it is hugely important. Not laughable.
Even the researcher holds up the idea of testing sheep for intelligence almost unquestioningly as, at face value, a somewhat ludicrous idea by saying that if it was a monkey, people wouldn't have any problems, not even if it was a dog - but a sheep???
The organic farmer interviewed in the article of course would say that it is natural to eat animals, after all, if more people go vegetarian, it is his livelihood that is at stake. But for him to then say we should eat animals because, if we didn't, they would eat us, is laughable. After all, all farm animals are themselves vegetarian, so unless, we in the West start eating wolves or tigers, his argument is a load of rubbish. And most carnivores have lantern-jawed teeth specifically designed for shredding raw meat - something our dentition does not. And as for our inability to digest raw meat, thereby necessitating the cooking of it, fire being something relatively recent in our evolutionary history, many of us are not convinced.
I suspect a lot of the inherent scepticism and denial that farm animals might be a lot smarter than we assume is probably based around fear of the unknown, and also the unique ability of the human species to lie to itself and deny facts that are staring us in the face, especially when said face is removed and minced into a sausage!!
Here's my 10 pence worth...
When I can, I like to do a lot of rambling in the countryside. Ergo, there are times when I come into contact with farm animals.
On one such occasion we were out rambling when we came to a field full of sheep. A middle-aged couple were hanging around what looked like a bush in the corner of the field. As we got closer, it appeared as though the bush was fenced off from the rest of the field and was about 6 ft. by 6ft. in area. Inside the enclosed bush was a baby lamb that had managed to get itself trapped. It was bleating in a terribly distressed manner.
The middle-aged couple said they were going to get help from the local farm so we stayed to see if there was anything we could do to calm the lamb, as it was a little panicked.
We stayed with the lamb to try and sooth its fears, as it had already scratched its nose on one of the sharp needles of the bush. We went to stroke its nose and the lamb tried to flee. I worried then because I thought if we frightened it anymore its health might be in danger.
Miraculously, the lamb instantly relaxed and moved forward, allowing us to stroke its nose and it no longer tried to fight or struggle and become more entangled. It also stopped bleating and was like putty in our hands. I was surprised at this, because, whenever in the company of most sheep, they run away as soon as a human comes into view (how sensible!)
Anyway, we could see up the lane that the couple had alerted the farmer and that they were on their way to free the lamb. We decided to make our way onward with our walk. However, as we moved away, the lamb became panicked again and started bleating loudly. We went back, stroked its nose, and it became calm again. Sure enough, we went to leave, and the lamb cried out in panic and fear, we went back and calmed it down a second time.
We stayed with the lamb until the farmer was there, and all was well.
On my country rambles I have stopped to observe sheep and can honestly say that my respect for and enjoyment of them has increased immeasurably.
Quite rightly, most sheep have the inbuilt good sense to run away from people (and who can blame them!) But on occasion, you come across sheep that are naturally inquisitive and friendly. I can think of at least two occasions where sheep have come up to me in a field and enjoyed having their noses rubbed. It is a surprisingly lovely and moving experience.
I've also witnessed the way mother sheep call to their lambs and the lambs come running, a rudimentary form of language. In fact, the way a female looks after its young, I feel, can offer a very strong benchmark for the depth of animal intelligence.
For those of you that have bothered to read this far and happily eat lamb or mutton, don't worry, I am not trying to put you off. But you should weigh up the ethical and moral arguments next time you think of ordering that lamb cutlet.
Of course, as it is Vegetarian Week, it seems as though the issue of the rights and wrongs of meat-eating just won't go away.
Source: ABC News
Whilst on the subject of great television, I've also discovered another hidden gem in the television schedules that has me hooked - Most Haunted. 
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