DEAR READERS: The latest government-sanctioned hunt in Yellowstone National Park has killed 1,150 bison in a controversial attempt to prevent the spread of brucellosis in cattle. (Full story: New York Times, April 4)

Reading this news, I was speechless and mortified. Bison cause less trampling and erosion damage to the plains than cattle; their diet is higher in grasses and thus less damaging to the long-term chances of the plain's environment, and bison poop functions as a natural fertilizer to their habitats. Also, they may emit less methane, a gas that contributes to climate change, than grass-fed cattle.

The mass slaughter of bison is a mindless contribution to climate change because it disrupts the carbon sink established by the ecological links among plants/vegetation, bison and their predators, like wolves and bears. This is a self-evident crime against nature and humanity.

The environmental harm, loss of biodiversity and near-annihilation of Indigenous peoples wrought by America's cattle ranchers over the centuries is a call for accountability and a boycott of all beef products, including the many tons of imported beef from the Amazon forest-decimating Brazilian cattle industry.

DOG BITES AND THEIR PREVENTION

The week of April 10 was National Dog Bite Prevention Week, sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association to protect the bond between dogs and people, emphasize veterinarians' role in canine behavior and educate people about preventing dog bites.

While most of the 88 million pet dogs in the U.S. coexist peacefully with their people, over 4.5 million Americans are bitten by a dog each year, according to the AVMA. "While dog bites are a serious public health issue, the good news is that most dog bites are preventable," said AVMA President Dr. Lori Teller in an April news release. "By taking steps to train and properly socialize our dogs, and educate ourselves and loved ones on dog bite prevention, we can help reduce bites and keep dogs in loving homes, where they belong."

First step: Protect the dog from wild children who do not know how to be gentle and have not learned to interpret dogs' body language. According to the National Canine Research Council, there were 46 verified fatalities related to dog bites in the U.S. in 2020. But injuries, including fractures and concussions, are not recorded. These are often caused by non-aggressive dogs jumping up while playing and running into people, especially children.

It is essential that parents constantly supervise infants when with the family dog, no matter how gentle and trustworthy, and never leave them alone together. I recall one case where an autopsy was performed on a Saint Bernard who had bitten the face of a toddler. A broken pencil was found deeply embedded in one of this poor dog's ears.

The AVMA has gathered several resources, including tools that veterinarians can share with their clients, to help educate the public on reducing dog bites. To learn more, visit avma.org/events/national-dog-bite-prevention-week.

(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: I submitted some questions to ChatGPT on topics that you write about, and I would like your response to the answers it generated. Here is what I asked:

-- Does human meat consumption harm wildlife and biodiversity?

-- What is the meaning of One Health and how is it put into practice?

-- Can dogs' diets be plant-based?

-- Do killing contests work to control predators?

-- Are wolves positive for the environment?

-- Which animal is more dangerous for children: dogs or coyotes?

I did not edit any of the answers. -- P.S., San Francisco

DEAR P.S.: My initial response is that these answers (included in your email, but not published here) are all plagiarized from my own writings on these issues! And the chatbot got at least one point wrong: To your question "Can dogs' diets be plant-based?", the AI's response states, "Dogs with certain medical conditions such as pancreatitis or kidney disease may require a specialized diet that is not plant-based." On the contrary, a plant-based diet for dogs may help prevent pancreatitis and kidney disease! (For details, see this post on my website: drfoxonehealth.com/post/health-benefits-of-vegan-dog-food.)

I do not mind being upstaged or even replaced by AI, provided this new technology is put to good use. These chatbots could be a quick source of information for all of us, and they could help set students on the path of searching for original reference citations.

While I am concerned about the misuse of AI, as with every technology, I do not share the fear-mongering technophobia displayed by some. My concerns include the energy needed for data storage and transmission, along with the associated electropollution hazards. The precautionary principle should not be overridden by the profit motive or other means and ends, especially for disinformation purposes.

Also, the interfacing of the human bioelectrical field with the electrical fields of AI delivery, monitoring, surveillance and diagnostic systems raises health and safety issues that need to be addressed. Some forms of nonionizing radiation and electromagnetic fields can affect physiology, brain function, development and behavior. (For details, see drfoxonehealth.com/post/electropollution-existential-threat-to-public-health-and-life-on-earth.)

Humans' self-anointed title of Homo sapiens, or "Man the wise," speaks to our arrogance, which AI may help rectify. Intelligence is universal -- in every living cell and all our relationships.

Human freedom and justice and animal liberation will come when we unshackle ourselves from human-centered religious fundamentalism and imperialism. We must also jettison the persecuting judgment of moralists, the materialism of wealth-worshippers and the arrogance of scientific determinism. All of these contribute to what I call empathy-deficit disorder.

Empathic sensitivity is our best template and foundation for bioethical sensibility, which could be incorporated into the emergent properties of self-learning AI. As I detail in my book "Bringing Life to Ethics," this can lead us to embrace equalitarianism and reverential respect for all life, not just human life. Our emotional intelligence will help ensure the benefits of AI outweigh the risks, and help support the bioethical basis for the philosophy of One Health.

DUBIOUS PROMOTION OF RISKY ANTI-PARASITE DRUG

During a recent episode of Stephen Colbert's "Late Show," I was disturbed to see actress Jennifer Garner cuddling puppies to promote their adoption -- in front of a sign promoting Simparica Trio. The sign included the statement, "Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures."

In actuality, even dogs without "a history of seizures" can start having them after being given this product from Zoetis pharmaceutical company. One of the ingredients is a neonicotinoid that can cause seizures in dogs. Many dog owners using these products have reported to me that their dogs became more fearful, anxious and even aggressive when on these medications, and that these behavioral changes were resolved when treatments were discontinued.

Neonicotinoids are also linked to the drastic decline in bees and other beneficial insects around the world. There is concerning evidence from the U.K. of rivers being contaminated with these products and killing the life therein. These substances are also used in similar products like Nexgard, all of which should be prohibited.

I wish that veterinarians in every country would follow the protocol of Danish veterinarians, who are not allowed to prescribe parasite treatments without a positive diagnosis or a justifiable, documented suspicion that an individual animal has a parasitic disease that needs treatment. The profit-driven incentive to overprescribe is removed when veterinarians are not allowed to supply these products themselves, but rather must send a prescription to an external pharmacy.

Overprescription of these products is the norm in most countries, putting dogs, wildlife and the environment at risk. The medicines are often unwarranted, even being used when certain parasites are out of season. All of this is driven by consumer/pet owner fear -- and the significant revenue stream for veterinary providers and profit for drug manufacturers. This is not to discount the contribution of climate change, which has increased the spread of some disease-transmitting insects such as ticks and mosquitoes. But for many dogs, especially those who have had seizures with these kinds of preventive parasiticides, a wiser, safer choice would be a natural and effective insect repellant spray. This and other preventive measures are detailed on my website: drfoxonehealth.com/post/preventing-fleas-ticks-and-mosquitoes.

(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: One of my wife's clients had adopted a nice whippet, named Carly, last year. This lady rescues dogs and gets them here to Belgium to start a new life. She had about eight dogs at the time, a big field for them to play in, etc.

Her daughter is a vet tech at a local practice. The dog was given NexGard last year and ended up with seizures. She knew our dog Obi's story -- he developed seizures on NexGard Spectra, which the local vets dismissed as the cause -- and asked how we had treated him. (His treatment was thanks to you and some other holistic veterinarians with whom we consulted.)

Despite all advice given from our side and pointing out the danger of these products, the vet practice urged this lady to bring Carly in for the next round of flea/tick drugs earlier this month. The dog was given Simparica about two weeks ago. Last week, the owner reached out to us saying Carly had started over with more seizures, despite the Keppra/phenobarbital she was still taking.

This morning, we've been informed she had to let Carly go over the rainbow bridge as vets told her she probably had a brain tumor, hence the massive seizures. No questions on the pesticide intake.

I just have no words for this. It makes me angry -- both on the vets' knowledge and continuing taking these risks, ignoring warnings, and some pet owners not questioning anything. -- D.A., Antwerp, Belgium

DEAR D.A.: I think that so many vets around the world have been brainwashed by Big Ag, by the pet food industry and by Big Pharma. These institutions influence vets' training, and vets must objectively examine their curriculum content. The focus should be on animal behavior, animal welfare and rights; holistic and integrative preventive medicine and nutrition; and the human-animal bond. There is no place for profit-driven and cognitively challenged minds in any of the healing professions or the arts, humanities and sciences.

Back in the 1980s and 1990s, when I was giving talks advocating animals' rights and holistic health, I faced sudden cancellations of speeches on some college campuses, removal of my books at local bookstores, even police security at some presentations to farming organizations!

Most veterinarians do not wish to become involved in politics, whether local, national or global. But I believe they have much they could contribute.

COALITION'S EARTH DAY RALLY INSPIRES ACTION

Earth Animal is a leader in the pet industry in sustainability. To help focus its attention on creating meaningful change through actions big and small, the company supported the Pet Sustainability Coalition's (PSC) 30-day Earth Day Rally all April. By taking microactions that take between two and 20 minutes, Earth Animal's hope is to motivate its employees and participants from other companies to have an impact now, lay the groundwork for long-term improvements and be inspired to carry these simple actions into their day-to-day lives. For details, go to petsustainability.org.

The PSC's community of more than 200 companies offers measurable proof that through education, tools and sharing best practices, improvement is possible. Not only that, but when done well, sustainability creates stronger and healthier businesses. PSC members take action year-round to earn consumer trust little by little, but this April, the pet industry had a bigger and bolder opportunity to claim its place as an active participant in the global shift toward sustainable business practices.

(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.)