DEAR READERS: There is good news in a recent article by animal behavioral scientist and ethologist Dr. Marc Bekoff. He writes: "It's time to stop wondering if nonhuman animals (animals) are sentient -- they are. Abundant science tells us so, including unlikely beings such as reptiles, insects, and other invertebrates. Sentience simply is the ability to feel various emotions, including joy, fear, and various types of pain and suffering. Animals' feelings matter to them, and they should matter to us. ...

"A recent gift from Robert Brinkmann, Ph.D., DVM, to Denver University to establish The Institute for Animal Sentience and Protection to expand the scientific understanding of the cognitive and emotional capabilities of animals is a move in the right direction for learning more about animal sentience and helping advance the protection of animals resulting from this evolving knowledge and understanding." (Full story: Psychology Today, April 29)

Earlier this year, my wife and I put out food for several weeks for an injured raccoon in the hopes of getting her to our local wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center. When I eventually caught her and put her in a crate, she cried out to me, looking me in the eye through the bars of the crate. She voiced sounds we had never heard -- noises beyond the simple cries of animals in pain or terror. Then she turned away from me, too weak to fight to get out of the crate, and curled into her quivering body and remained silent.

A wildlife veterinarian at the center confirmed my provisional diagnosis of canine distemper, which commonly afflicts raccoons, and the raccoon was euthanized. She had such a strong will to live, and given the right staff and facilities, she might have recovered. However, she would have had permanent neurological damage and could never be released back into the wild.

Few states have sanctuaries for injured wildlife -- animals not fit to survive if released, but who could enjoy some quality of life in captivity. They would be of educational value for the visiting public, especially those animals with mangled limbs from traps and permanent disabilities from being shot or after recovery from disease.

While some philosophers debate about animal self-awareness and "degrees" of sentience, the irrefutable fact remains that they can be harmed, and that we should all strive to avoid harming any sentient being, no matter how great or small. Philosophy professor Patricia MacCormack writes: "We live in a climate and nature crisis of our own making. If we are serious about revolutionizing our use of the Earth, it is time to rethink our need to classify all forms of life. We may find this is not about curiosity, but a desire to vindicate our history of dominion over the Earth. How about we exchange hierarchy for care? The future may depend upon it." (Full story: The Conversation, April 18)

WE AND OTHER ANIMALS ARE ALL RELATED!

From an exciting article on Nature.com, posted April 28:

"In a massive genetic-sequencing effort, the Zoonomia Project has collated the genomes of 240 mammal species, from dormice to dolphins. Scientists digging into the data discovered that almost 11% of our genome is identical to that of almost all of the other species. Most of the common genes regulate the activity of other genes.

"DNA for the Zoonomia Project came from living and dead animals, including the remains of the Siberian husky Balto. The sled dog was lauded for delivering lifesaving diphtheria antitoxin to a remote Alaskan town in 1925. Balto's genome was found to be more diverse -- and ultimately healthier -- than that of most dog breeds today."

Additional information from Reuters.com, posted April 27: "Balto's genome showed lower rates of inbreeding and a lower burden of rare and potentially damaging genetic variation than almost all modern breed dogs. Balto was found to share ancestry with modern Siberian huskies and Alaskan sled dogs as well as Greenland sled dogs, New Guinea singing dogs, Salukis, Afghan hounds and Tibetan mastiffs, with no discernible wolf ancestry."

This supports my view that not all dogs are simply descended from wolves, as most contend. In my opinion, many modern dog breeds are instead descended from a mix of sources, including an archetypical dingo-like wild dog that was eventually domesticated and traded and followed human migrations.

As Scientific American reported April 27, "Balto had an adaptation that helps digest starch -- a trait that is not found in wolves but is relatively common in modern dog breeds." This means that, although sled dogs' diets consist primarily of meat, it is likely that Balto also ate high-calorie foods rich in starch.

Explore all Zoonomia species, including with a fascinating interactive graphic, at zoonomiaproject.org.

TEXAS TICKS TURN US OFF MEAT AND DAIRY

Some environmentalists and humanitarians may soon be putting up a flag or banner in honor of the Texas Lone Star tick: The saliva in its bite can make us, if bitten, allergic to beef, dairy products, lamb and venison. Perhaps this is a natural vaccine to make us all vegan!

According to researchers at the University of North Carolina's School of Medicine, confirmed cases of alpha-gal syndrome -- which involves an allergic reaction to red meat and dairy products caused by a bite from the Lone Star tick -- have risen from 24 in 2009 to approximately 40,000 now. Lone Star ticks can transmit allergy-inducing carbohydrates from deer, pigs, cows or lambs to humans. Allergist Dr. Tamar Weinberger says the only treatment for alpha-gal syndrome is to avoid trigger foods. (Full story: CBSNews.com, May 9)

(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.)

DEAR READERS: The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) has been in effect since July 2022, but the start date for the act's Antidoping and Medication Control program has been delayed repeatedly. It finally took effect May 22, but will face additional appeals from the horseracing industry, including from the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. Eric Hamelback, the organization's CEO, vowed to take the case to the Supreme Court if it is not overturned by a lower court. (Full story: The Associated Press, May 4)

In the span of five days leading up to this year's Kentucky Derby on May 6, four horses died at Churchill Downs. The racing of equines -- selectively bred to be highly muscular at a young age, a condition that can cause damage to their skeletal structures when driven hard and fast -- should be prohibited. I document this issue, and other reasons why these horses suffer limb fractures and must be euthanized, on my website: drfoxonehealth.com/post/race-horse-welfare-reforms-long-overdue.

DEAR DR. FOX: I honestly don't know how you continue your fight to better this world for animals when just reading a mere column about the issue upsets me so much. The depressing statistics you provide are just heartbreaking.

My heart goes out to the people running the farm rescues and dog and cat rescues that I follow on Instagram. For example, a man in Serbia has 1,200-plus dogs at his shelter, and some days he runs out of food. (It's Vucjak Shelter, in case you want to check it out -- the poor man is a true hero.)

So, a huge shout-out to you. Thank you for continuing to preach. -- G.B., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR G.B.: Your words will hit home for many people who still care, but are feeling absolute despair. This reminds me of the story by Loren Eiseley in his book "The Star Thrower." Thousands of starfish were being swept onto high ground by a powerful tide, and a person was throwing some back into the ocean. When asked if the task was pointless, the response was, "If you can save one, you save one."

There are other variations of this story, including Albert Camus' "The Plague," in which a doctor labors seemingly in vain, putting his own life at risk in hopeless circumstances. Our compassion and courage against insurmountable odds reflect the noble spirit of humanity, which is now becoming as endangered as this beautiful planet we have so defiled.

Living with animals, being in nature and observing wildlife can enable us to step outside of ourselves -- outside the confines of purely human relationships, responsibilities and dystopian "civilizations." We have turned our backs on nature, engaging in wanton destruction for millennia, and hardened our hearts in our harvesting and slaughter of animals -- other sentient beings that are more like us than they are different. Nature and animals may yet still save humankind from the tragic consequences of our disconnectedness as more people support conservation and animal protection, which are basic elements of civil society and the hallmarks of a viable democracy and economy, as I emphasize in my book "Animals and Nature First."

The separation of church from state amounts to nothing when both separate us from the Earth and from all life. When we come to respect and understand the powers of nature, and do not abuse or misuse them, they will not destroy us.

(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.)

DEAR DR. FOX: We are at our wits' end! Our adorable 5-year-old, 20-pound Havanese-poodle mix has started a behavior that is just not acceptable: He has started to bark ferociously and lunge at other dogs on our daily walks.

He has about five favorite dog friends that he can't wait to see. Other than his favorites, he acts extremely aggressive, even with little dogs half his size. Do you have any suggestions on how we should handle this behavior? -- B.R., Trenton, New Jersey

DEAR B.R.: Your dog has some doggy friends, so this aggressive behavior toward other dogs while on the leash may simply be "leash aggression." I would advise you to train him to sit and stay while on the leash, rewarding him intermittently with a treat. Then do this while out on walks when there are no other dogs around. Once he responds consistently, get him to sit and stay when any unfamiliar dog comes by.

If this fails, you might have better control with a harness than with a neck collar. The latter, when your dog pulls and lunges, could damage his trachea and possibly intensify his aggressive reaction.

Either way, when approached by a dog that your dog is not familiar with and friendly toward, simply stand still. Hold the leash firmly, but do not pull it toward you. Pulling could be an inciting signal.

Note: A study published in April in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise found that, between 2001 and 2020, an estimated 422,659 adults sought emergency care for injuries related to walking a leashed dog. Finger fracture, shoulder sprain/strain and traumatic brain injury were the most common injuries. To reduce the risk of injury, applied animal behaviorist Karen London suggests using front-attachment harnesses and 6- to 8-foot-long nonretractable leashes, training dogs well and avoiding places with known distractions. (Full story: The Washington Post, May 1)

U.K. BANS ELECTRIC SHOCK DOG COLLARS

From The Sun, April 28: "Electric shock dog collars will be banned across the U.K. (beginning in) February next year. The collars, which are often used as a training device, can deliver painful jolts continuously for 11 seconds. They send electrical shocks of varying intensity via a radio-controlled device, which can be triggered from two miles away. The devices cost about 20 pounds each, and about 1 in 20 Brits admitted to using them on their dogs."

SOUTH KOREAN FARMERS PROTEST FIRST LADY'S COMMENTS

Dozens of dog farmers in South Korea recently gathered near the office of President Yoon Suk Yeol to protest comments made by his wife, Kim Keon Hee, about a possible ban on the consumption of dog meat.

"About 1 million dogs are slaughtered for food annually in South Korea, a decrease from more than 3 million annually about 10-20 years ago," according to Ju Yeongbong, an official with an association of dog farmers. An Associated Press article states, "Dog meat is neither legally protected nor explicitly banned in South Korea. During election campaigning, Yoon said he personally opposed dog meat consumption, but that formulating a policy on outlawing it would require a public consensus." (Full story: Associated Press, April 25)

Westerners may be appalled by the idea of millions of dogs being killed for consumption. But pigs, just like dogs, are intelligent, sociable and empathic, and in the U.S. (and many other countries), pigs are not only eaten but are raised in overcrowded, inhumane conditions. They then suffer traumatic transportation to slaughter, where I have witnessed them screaming in terror.

Hog slaughter totaled 10.1 million in the U.S. in 2022, down 7% from April 2021. By purchasing and eating pork, consumers bring cruelty into the kitchen and onto their plates.

ANOTHER REASON TO KEEP YOUR CATS INDOORS

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 170 mammals have been infected with a highly pathogenic avian influenza during the ongoing outbreak, including cases in dogs and cats linked to predation. Veterinary diagnostic pathologist Sarah Sillman points out that avian influenza cases in domesticated cats are very rare, but often fatal; poultry veterinarian David Swayne says cases in humans are even rarer. Nevertheless, says ecologist Nichola Hill, dogs should be kept leashed and cats should remain indoors to protect them from contact with infected birds. (Full story: KCUR-FM, Kansas City, Missouri, April 27)

(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.)