Millions of Israelis and many people around the world were moved to tears when 17-year-old Mia Leimberg and her Shi Tzu dog Bella who spent nearly two months in captivity in Gaza after being kidnapped by Hamas terrorists returned home together during the hostages-prisoners swap in early December.
The only case in the world- Mia first to be held in captivity with her pet
This newly published review of 27 years of international research has just been published in the peer-reviewed journal Anthrozoös which studies the relationships between people and animals across areas as varied as anthropology, medicine, psychology, veterinary medicine, and zoology. The study discloses the increased risks to both safety and psychological well-being when people are faced with the threat of forced separation from their pets.
The study was carried out in Australia by James Cook University PhD candidate Jasmine Montgomery and Prof. Janice Lloyd and Prof. Zhanming Liang. “Our results reveal the strong emotional attachment between people and animals may result in vulnerability for both in circumstances where this bond is threatened,” explained Montgomery.
