*3.1.4 Human-animal bonding*

In the occurrence of dark cutting in ruminants, human behavior and gentle management play a key role. Lensink et al. [31] and Lensink et al. [32] reported that calves' meat showed a lighter color and lower pHu if they treated with positive human-animal bonding on farms than those treated with negative human-animal bonging. Lensink et al. [32] stated that gently handled animals were less nervous and showed more muscular glycogen as compared to those who treated roughly. Individual animal temperament and interaction with humans are noted and the difference is measured on farm and before slaughtering. Animals with high temperament are prone to stress. So, to minimize the stress and the risk of dark cutting, good animal handling practices should be applied.
