Speaker: Andrew Knight

A talk on human-animal violence and the world’s most infamous serial killer. The identity of Jack the Ripper is one of the greatest unsolved crime mysteries in history. Jack was notorious both for the brutality of his murders and also for his habit of stealing organs from his victims. His speed and skill in doing so fueled theories he was a surgeon. However, re-examination of a mortuary sketch from one of his victims strongly suggests the technique used was more consistent with that of a slaughterhouse worker. There were many small slaughterhouses in East London in the 1880s, where conditions were harsh for animals and workers alike. Modern slaughterhouses are more humane in some ways, but sociological research indicates that communities with slaughterhouses are more likely to experience the most violent of crimes. The implications for modern animal slaughtering are explored.

Andrew Knight is a Veterinary Professor of Animal Welfare. He established a Centre for Animal Welfare and two animal welfare degrees at the University of Winchester (UK) in 2015. He left in 2023 to establish his own nonprofit organisations, and now does animal welfare research and outreach full-time. He’s also an Adjunct Professor at Murdoch University and Griffith University in Australia, a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and a Principal Fellow of Advance HE.