To our readers: The inhumane practice of keeping wild animals in cages and for their fur and pharmaceutical purposes should be prohibited. In addition to being cruel, these animals act as “potential carriers of emerging pathogens,” according to a recent study.
The research team examined tissue from “461 fur animals found dead from disease,” the study abstract says. “We characterized 125 viruses, including 36 novel viruses and 39 viruses with a potentially high risk of interspecies transmission, including zoonotic spillover.”
Some of these viruses were already circulating in humans, while others were new. A virus previously detected only in bats has been discovered in the lungs of two farmed mink. The virus is a relative of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS), which can be fatal to humans. Several types of avian influenza were detected in guinea pigs, mink and muskrats, as well as seven types of coronavirus.
For the full study, see “Farmed fur animals harbor potentially zoonotic viruses” by Jin Zhao et al., published in Nature, September 2024.
Food safety warning
Recently, there was a recall of eggs due to Salmonella contamination. More from FoodSafetyNews.com:
“Sixty-five people from nine states were infected with the same Salmonella strain. Those nine states include California, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Utah and Virginia.”
Anyone working with eggs, including those using my homemade dog food recipe, should be careful. Handle all meat, poultry, dairy, and egg products with care.
Dear Dr. FOX: Your recent column featured a letter from SW in Palm Beach, Florida. She read your column and was very upset to learn the truth about the cruelty that is committed against animals in laboratories, not to mention slaughterhouses and puppy mills. Floridians said they only wanted to read news that was positive and uplifting.
I’ve talked to many people over the years who don’t want to know the truth. They live in a dream world where everything is fine. It’s so frustrating that people refuse to acknowledge the horrors so many innocent animals are being subjected to. Sticking your head in the sand doesn’t erase the fact of what’s going on.
Dr. Fox, please continue this helpful dialogue for those of us who want to stay informed. It’s important to have knowledge to understand what’s going on. — ET, Edwardsburg, Michigan
Dear All: Thank you very much for your words of support. And I agree that empathizing often hurts. Some people who really care about these issues may still retreat into their bubbles and do nothing because of the pain. But when we empathize and are informed, how we feel about the plight of others can move us into action.
I strongly believe that the ability to empathize and put compassion into action is the foundation of civil society. The extension of the Golden Rule to all sentient beings under the banner of egalitarianism is a hallmark of democratic civilization.
Across cultures, continents, and centuries, many indigenous peoples have viewed animals as their relatives, people who should be treated with respect and appreciation. In modern society, many people consider companion animals to be part of the family. This is one step closer to extending that love to all living things, big and small, and protecting them from animal abuse and exploitation.
Dear Dr. Fox: Have you ever read that the ancient remains of a dog were discovered in Sweden and buried next to it with gifts? It seems that early humans valued animals very much. –BK, Washington, DC
Dear BK: Yes, I read a report about the recently unearthed remains of an 8,400-year-old dog in Sweden, filled with gifts to enjoy in the next realm. My theory is that early dogs showed us the qualities of loyalty, trust, and devotion that helped make us human. In this dog’s case, these qualities were respectfully acknowledged in its post-mortem treatment.
I hope that humans continue to evolve and show respect for all sentient beings, and that all countries criminalize animal neglect and cruelty.
(Please send all emails to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. Due to the volume of emails received, personal responses may not be possible. Although prohibited, questions and comments of general interest will be addressed in future columns.
Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com. )
