Ben Madilynn
DEAR READERS: Keeping wild animals inhumanely in cages and raising them for their fur and/or for medicinal products needs to be prohibited. Not only is it cruel, but these animals act as “potential reservoirs of emerging pathogens,” per a recent study.
A research team examined tissues “from 461 individual fur animals that were found dead due to disease,” reads the study’s abstract. “We characterized 125 virus species, including 36 that were novel and 39 at potentially high risk of cross-species transmission, including zoonotic spillover.”
Some of those viruses have already spread to humans, but some were new. One virus previously only detected in bats was found in the lungs of two farmed mink. This virus is a relative of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS), which can be deadly to humans. Several types of bird flu were detected in guinea pigs, mink and muskrats, and seven types of coronaviruses were also spotted.
For the full study, see “Farmed fur animals harbour viruses with zoonotic spillover potential” by Jin Zhao et al., published in Nature, September 2024.
FOOD SAFETY ALERT
There has been a recent recall of eggs due to salmonella contamination. Details from FoodSafetyNews.com:
“Sixty-five people from nine states have gotten sick from the same strain of salmonella. The nine states include the three states where the eggs were sold — Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin — in addition to California, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Utah and Virginia.”
People handling eggs, including those using my home-prepared dog food recipe, should take note. Handle all meat, poultry, dairy and egg products with caution!
DEAR DR. FOX: In a recent column, you included a letter from S.W. in Palm Beach, Florida. She was so upset after reading your column and learning the truth about the cruelty done to animals in research laboratories, not to mention slaughter facilities, puppy mills, etc. The Florida person said they only wanted to read positive, uplifting news.
I have spoken with many people over the years who do not want to know the truth. They live in an all-is-well dream world. It is so frustrating that people refuse to acknowledge the horrors so many innocent animals are subjected to. Sticking your head in the sand does not make the facts of what is happening disappear.
Dr. Fox, please continue your informative dialogue for those of us who want to stay informed. Having knowledge is key to understanding what is going on! — E.T., Edwardsburg, Michigan
DEAR E.T.: I greatly appreciate your words of support, and I agree that empathizing often hurts. Some people who truly do care about these issues may still withdraw into a bubble and do nothing because of that pain. But when we do empathize and become informed, we can be drawn into action because of how we feel about the plight of others.
I firmly believe that it is our ability to empathize and put compassion into action that provides the foundation of civil society. Extending the golden rule to all sentient beings under the banner of equalitarianism is the hallmark of a democratic civilization.
Many Indigenous peoples across cultures, continents and centuries have regarded animals as their relations — beings to be treated with reverential respect and gratitude. In contemporary society, many people regard their companion animals as family members, which is a short step away from extending that affection to all creatures great and small — and becoming involved in their protection from animal cruelty and exploitation.
DEAR DR. FOX: Have you read about the discovery in Sweden of the ancient remains of a dog, buried with some gifts beside it? It seems like early humans cared very much for their animals. — B.K., Washington, D.C.
DEAR B.K.: Yes, I have read reports about the 8,400-year-old remains of a dog, buried with gifts to enjoy in the next realm, recently unearthed in Sweden. My theory is that early dogs helped make us human by showing us the nature of loyalty, trust and devotion. In this dog’s case, these qualities were respectfully acknowledged in the animal’s treatment after death.
I wish that humans would continue to evolve and show respect for all sentient beings, and that every country would prosecute animal neglect and cruelty as felonious offenses.
(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.
Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)
