DEAR DR. FOX: I don't take my dog to the dog park because you can't count on people to know whether their dog is malicious, and it can get dangerous quickly, as you witnessed.

I board my 10-year-old pug at a cage- and leash-free facility in Fairfax, Virginia, and dogs are all carefully vetted before being allowed admittance. I am very protective of my dog, and all my questions about possible dangers in this environment were addressed in a manner that indicated that the young woman who owns the facility understands dogs. The woman grew up with a mother who bred goldens. I have a dog-walking/pet-sitting business myself, so I know dog behavior and recognize when others do.

The pack thing can work if there is someone around who is vetting the dogs, but there is no vetting in the dog park, and most people who have dogs are clueless; I do not trust them. The best thing to do is go to the dog park during weekday afternoons. It's not crowded then, and Kota will be less likely to encounter a big bully dog. It doesn't surprise me that no one else said anything to the bully owner; look who we have for president. -- M.G., Fairfax, Virginia

DEAR M.G.: Thanks for your words of sound advice from first-hand experience. Just an hour before writing this response to you, my wife and I decided to return to the dog park and see what dogs were there. This time, there were no bullies or rough-playing dogs that like to pretend to kill you -- which many dogs do with great self-control and enjoyment, but which can scare other dogs and may trigger a pack attack in the underdog. Our dog Kota had a good time with these young and gentle dogs.

But then, in came another person with her Kota-sized dog, who immediately engaged in play, chasing a 6-month-old pup and knocking him over repeatedly -- with no intent to harm, just rough play. The young dog was becoming quickly exhausted, and my wife and I were glad we did not have to intervene because the owners of both dogs intervened and stopped the rough play. Rough play of any duration is not for a young dog that could sustain traumatic injury requiring costly orthopedic surgery. When mature dogs are getting too rough and excited, a few minutes of restraint and a time-out is prudent. It is notable that most dogs in a melee will give each other a time-out, but not all dogs learn fair play!

DEAR DR. FOX: Back in 2015, I happened to see your column in a local newspaper. (Fortunately, I saved it, because I have not seen your column again in that paper.) I found out in that column about Project Coyote. I like the organization. I firmly believe that natural predators are crucial in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

As you correctly pointed out, coyotes are shot, trapped, poisoned and killed via other methods. There is an attempt in my hometown of Westport, Connecticut, to allow the trapping of coyotes. This is in a wealthy, politically liberal suburban town, so I was surprised to see that here. There is even a “no deer-hunting” ordinance in effect within the entire town. I am opposed to that ordinance: There is an overpopulation of deer here in Connecticut, especially in Fairfield County, where there are many houses and people.

I am not an animal rights activist. I do not believe natural predators like coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, foxes and wolves should be killed, because we need them desperately to kill and eat rodents and deer. However, I firmly support the hunting of deer because there are too many of them here, resulting in a Lyme disease increase. I won't even walk in the woods anymore out of fear of being bitten by a Lyme disease-ridden tick.

Deer should be killed and their meat consumed, whether by the hunter or the community. I don't believe they should be killed and left to rot.

I just want to let you know that you are an interesting veterinarian with a good website. Please continue to support natural predators. We need more people like you, who are not afraid to speak out. -- M.T., Westport, Connecticut

DEAR M.T.: I am glad that you appreciate what the nonprofit Project Coyote is doing to educate the public about the intrinsic value and ecological and public health benefits of coyotes and other predators, as well as seeking to outlaw such cruel practices as setting dogs on a small coyote in an enclosure to tear her apart. With no financial help from me, but with my spirit and her unique gift as an organizer, my daughter Camilla, of whom I am indeed proud, founded and directs this very active and effective organization.

More people are realizing that the past two centuries of predator extermination by state and federal agents and private land owners -- in part to eliminate competition with hunters for deer and other "game" species that are essentially being farmed -- have resulted in serious population imbalances everywhere. Deer are colonizing suburban areas where hunting is prohibited, and Lyme and other tick-borne diseases infect more and more people -- and their dogs.

Killing coyotes and wolf-coyote hybrids is not the solution in these areas, or elsewhere. The authorities need to embrace sound science and ethics and begin to manage wildlife populations, species and biodiversity from an ecological perspective. This is for the good of the indigenous plant and animal species and their communities, not simply putting human interests first.

You and other interested parties should contact Project Coyote and explore bringing its program to your community to enlighten those who are seeking to "control" the coyotes by trapping them -- an activity which is likely to actually increase coyote numbers!

I regret that my column is not in your local newspaper; however, past columns over several years are archived by The Washington Post at washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/advice/animal-doctor.

(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 DrFoxVet.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I am not a dog owner, but I live in close proximity to dogs. I don't live in the country. Our neighborhood consists of lots of quarter-acres or smaller. Most of my neighbors seem to be good owners, except for one. These neighbors are very well educated and work long hours. They have had two dogs since they moved in 15 years ago, though not the same two the whole time. These neighbors leave their dogs on their deck all day every day (sometimes 10 to 12 hours). The dogs bark incessantly at everything and everyone who is outside in the neighborhood.

It is obviously incredibly annoying for all of us neighbors, especially the ones who can't use their own yards for their dogs because of the barking, but I also have to wonder how healthy it is for the dogs to be outside idle and barking all day.

Other neighbors have spoken with these neighbors in the past about the incessant barking, but they don't seem to care about their neighbors or their dogs. I am trying to keep neighborhood peace, but I am getting very tired of the doggy choir. -- A.M., Arlington, Virginia

DEAR A.M.: These neighbors of yours, like some of mine, too, give other dog owners a bad reputation by ignoring their dogs’ barking and complaints from their neighbors. Most municipalities have ordinances limiting the amount of time dogs are allowed to bark, which the police should enforce. So call and ask what the regulations are, since this upsets you and your neighbors.

It seems more like a serious nuisance issue than one of animal neglect. If there is no ordinance, get a petition together with your neighbors' supporting signatures.

Good luck! This is an all-too-common problem, and once dog owners have been informed about their dogs' repeated and incessant barking, they have a responsibility to address and correct the problem. It could be as simple as keeping the dogs inside with a radio playing, which acts as a sound barrier to outside noises; restricting their visual access to the outdoors; and using humane and effective anti-bark collars.

DEAR DR. FOX: A cat who was skin and bones and wandering in the woods looking for a home adopted me five years ago. I took him in, and he became an indoor cat. Like M.M. from Kansas City's cat, he was food insecure and gobbled everything available, while my other cat was a grazer and nibbler. This became more problematic when both cats required different prescription diets. I discovered an amazing feeding system that solved the problem completely: the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder.

My calico could eat at her leisure while her big "brother" was locked out. This feeder can be used for multiple cats, with only M.M.'s newest cat locked out. If he gobbles his food, so be it. It works by reading microchips or RFID tags. It is expensive, but truly worth every penny. Sadly, my calico passed away last week at age 16, so Charlie is now my only cat and I no longer need to use the feeder. I hope this information is helpful. -- J.O., Norman, Oklahoma

DEAR J.O.: Thanks for verifying how well this selective feeding system worked for your cats. I am sure other people with two or more cats will find this kind of feeding system worth the investment when they have one or more cats who are food-addicted.

(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 DrFoxVet.net.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I have two 11-year-old Labrador-mix dogs. One is diabetic and requires insulin shots twice daily. The other recently broke his ankle. The vet took X-rays and referred me to a surgeon, telling me that my dog may have bone cancer. After more X-rays, the surgeon told us that cancer in that area is extremely rare, and he put in a metal plate to hold his ankle together, which cost $3,500. The surgeon told me the only way to keep him out of pain was to amputate his leg for another $2,200.

Two other vets I have since taken him to have told me that the surgeon should have put a boot on him and waited for the prognosis. I called the surgeon and asked that he do the right thing and either refund me for the surgery or do the amputation for free -- he refused.

Is there a medical board for vets that oversees their ethics (or lack of them)? Is there anything else I can do? I only work part time since I lost my full-time job two years ago. -- P.J., Virginia Beach, Virginia

DEAR P.J.: Every state has a Board of Veterinary Examiners that licenses veterinarians and ostensibly deals with alleged cases of malpractice, just as medical doctors are monitored. The same goes for conflicts of interest where doctors (human and animal) may put vested interests before those of their patients by using some new drug or medical procedure.

I find it astounding that you were clearly "gouged" by the surgeon, who does not have a proverbial leg to stand on. Filing a complaint with your state veterinary licensing and regulatory board and regional Better Business Bureau might help future pet owners and their animal companions. We all make mistakes, but documentation by people filing complaints against service providers is the best way forward for all involved to prevent repetition.

DEAR DR. FOX: When I read the letter from M.M. in Kansas City, I was reminded of my oldest cat, “Oliver.” Oliver appeared in the neighborhood in August one year, but it was November before I realized he didn’t have a home. He would wander through, disappear then come back. I took Oliver into the house and got him to a veterinarian within a couple of days. He had blood work done, a parasite check, a physical and started his shots. The vet determined that Oliver was about 9 months old.

Oliver ate and ate and ate; he gained 3 pounds the first three months I had him. I realized I had to watch the quantity of food I gave him, and he had to be fed in a room away from my other two cats so he wouldn’t eat their food, too. His weight evened out, and he was on a restricted quantity of food until January, when he developed what we decided was intolerance for certain foods. He lost weight during this spell, but is back to his normal weight now, and is 15 years old.

I’ve taken in stray cats before. They always seem to be constantly hungry and usually gain weight the first three months I have them. Then they seem to realize that food comes on a regular basis, and their eating (or wanting to eat) settles down. Oliver was different: He had on a collar when I took him in so I assume someone had him, but then turned him out for whatever reason. I think some cats are like some people -- when they are deprived of food, they can’t seem to get enough. Other cats adjust to regular feedings and don’t seem to have this constant urge to eat. -- K.M., Springfield, Virginia

DEAR K.M.: Your observations and conclusions will interest other cat owners and those veterinarians and others involved in feline nutrition, eating, appetite behavior and addressing the obesity epidemic in cats.

There are many factors involved to account for individual differences, as with two of our rescued feral cats, one of whom, after leveling to a normal weight continued to gain weight and live to eat; the other just enjoyed four small meals a day, never cried for food or put on excess weight. Similarly, some cats given free access to a food dispenser all day will self-regulate, while others eat more than they need and become overweight.

Most cats do best when fed four small meals a day, many eating too quickly and often vomiting their food when fed larger meals twice a day. Think mouse-sized portions of food for a small cat.

I certainly believe there is a strong emotional component to food addiction in cats -- and other animals -- associated with early deprivation of food and overall security. Eating provides a sense of security. Other oral cravings may develop, including pica (eating non-food materials) and nursing behaviors, where the cat sucks on a tail, blanket or the owner's arm or ear. This is especially evident in kittens weaned too soon.

(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 DrFoxVet.net.)