DEAR DR. FOX: What is your opinion of this article? Link: aeon.co/essays/dogs-on-indias-streets-can-be-freer-and-happier-than-many-pets.

It states that urban street dogs in India "have independent, peaceful, happy lives without a pet's constraints," and asks, "Why are they being persecuted and culled?" -- K.K., Northbrook, Illinois

DEAR K.K.: Thanks for sharing this essay and its rather distorted opinion.

The authors are Krithika Srinivasan of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and Chris Pearson of the University of Liverpool in the UK. Both need a reality check.

They state, "Wandering the streets of Chennai in southern India, we saw them dozing alone or in company on pavements, seeking shelter from the heat under a van, watching children playing on the beach, or being cared for by local residents. Part of Indian street life, these free-living dogs stand in stark contrast to the culture of pet ownership found in the West. Not only do they defy the image of the out-of-control and marauding canine stalking the sensationalist articles of 19th-century newspapers in Western Europe and North America, they ask us to question our sanitized cities and stewardship of a world with nature at so much risk."

It is easy to contrast the "freedom" of Indian street dogs with the lives of pet dogs in the West, but the U.S. has its own regions where dogs can be found roaming free, running in packs and injuring or killing small livestock -- and even attacking people. Futhermore, in the U.S. and other so-called developed countries, too many dogs suffer from inherited disorders (especially purebreds) and separation anxiety when left alone all day, often in crates, until their owners come home. Clearly, there are problems at both ends of this spectrum.

Humane, compassionate control is called for -- everywhere -- for the domesticated dog, including these aboriginal landrace varieties. In India, many of these wonderful "pariah" dogs suffer from a variety of diseases and are injured by traffic, but receive no veterinary care. Many of them are systematically poisoned or otherwise inhumanely killed to control their numbers, while others are harvested for the meat markets and pelt trade. And some village dogs are now crossbreeding, for better or for worse, with European breeds introduced and owned by affluent residents.

The authors of the article advocate peaceful co-existence with street dogs, which I find unacceptable for many reasons. In this case, the attitude of "live and let live" is an abdication of ethical responsibility for our oldest and most loyal of animal companions.

For more details, see the book "India's Animals: Helping the Sacred and the Suffering," which I co-authored with my wife, Deanna Krantz, who ran an animal shelter and provided full veterinary services in India for several years. She and her team spayed/neutered, vaccinated and rehomed many dogs in small communities, treating many animals for diseases and injuries that are much more prevalent in urban environments. We brought two of these dogs home to the U.S. and they are indeed intelligent, resilient, affectionate souls!

We continue to support Prakriti Save Nature Trust, an animal and environmental protection organization in South India that is run by Dr. M. Sugumaran and his son (both veterinarians). This is a registered charity that would welcome the support of any and all readers of this column. For details, visit prakritigudalur.in. For instructions on donating, send an email to prakrithiindia@gmail.com.

(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 live in Cottage Grove, Oregon, surrounded by farmed forests that lately have been sprayed with large amounts of herbicides. Since 2014, we have had sprays a mile away drift onto our property or come down in the rain. I see the effects on our plants in the spring and fall.

I saw your article on chronic wasting disease and wondered if my goats have this sickness. This spring, two goats in my herd have lost a lot of weight and are moving very slowly. They are older -- one is 11 years old and the other is 8 -- but goats this age can still be very healthy.

I suspect they have CWD. Should I take one to the university vet for testing? How does one test for this? -- K.G., Cottage Grove, Oregon

DEAR K.G.: Chronic wasting disease from deer is reportedly not transmissible to goats. For details, visit aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/nvap/NVAP-Reference-Guide/Control-and-Eradication/Chronic-Wasting-Disease.

But the herbicide (and possible insecticide) drift from the nearby managed forests could be affecting the population of beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms in your goats' digestive systems, causing them some dysbiosis. Infusing them with boluses of regurgitated food from healthy, nonexposed goats may help.

If I were you, I would determine exactly what chemicals were sprayed near your property, then contact the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University. I will send you several reference citations that may be helpful.

K.G. REPLIES: Sadly, the older goat died. She had been fine two months ago; her symptoms began after I started noticing damage on plants again this spring. I did contact the Oregon State vet clinic, and they suggested I send the animal's head to the diagnostic lab for analysis. I will keep you posted on what they find.

Unfortunately, the forestry management group lists many herbicides they might possibly use, but they don't tell us which ones they actually use. In the past, they have used glyphosate, clopyralid, hexazinone and many others. They often mix them.

I have grown food for over 25 years, and three separate times, neighbors in different areas applied herbicides with backpack sprayers in their own yards. Each time, a couple weeks later, my garden suffered. I know what it looks like; I have years of photos I have taken of the damage on plants. It truly is heartbreaking to see the damage on trees and plants, both cultivated and wild.

Now, living here in the country, I see it every year since 2014, when the first spray helicopter flew over our home to a spray site a mile away. We all became sick with vomiting, and about two weeks later, the plants looked sickly. They have since sprayed off and on in the spring and fall, and I hear they are about to start using drones.

We formed these groups to try to change forestry practices: freedomfromaerialherbicides.org and protectlanecountywatersheds.org.

A CARING COVENANT FOR ALL CAT OWNERS

For cats' health and welfare, for the protection of wildlife and of public health, every municipality should have an Owned Cat Ordinance forbidding all such cats from roaming free off their owners' property. This would be a reasonable, responsible covenant for all who care for cats.

Per a new law in the U.K., all cat owners must have their cats microchipped by June 10, 2024. Owners found not to have complied will have 21 days to have a chip implanted, or otherwise face a fine of up to 500 pounds. For more, visit www.gov.uk/government/news/treasured-pets-now-safer-as-microchipping-for-cats-becomes-compulsory.

This mandatory microchipping is a small step, and should be followed by advocating for legislation for the containment of all owned cats. The multiple risks and potential harms of free-roaming cats far outweigh any proclaimed behavioral/psychological benefits for such cats.

(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 evident ethical limitations of the U.S. Supreme Court are now being compounded by a lack of bioethical and science-based sensibility when it comes to protecting America's natural heritage: wildlife, wildlands and water quality. In its late-May decision in Sackett v. EPA, the court stripped isolated wetlands -- an estimated 45 million acres of swamps, bogs, fens and marshes -- from federal protection. These wetlands play a significant role as a carbon sink to help reduce climate change, and they host and support a wealth of wildlife, including many species close to extinction.

The National Corn Growers Association applauded this ruling, which will allow the conversion of habitat critical to waterfowl, migratory birds and other wildlife -- and important for flood control and water quality -- for agricultural and other purposes. I pray that courts in the near future will see such rulings as a crime against nature, and ultimately against humanity.

"First, do no harm," a part of the Hippocratic oath taken by physicians, needs to be applied to our judicial system as well -- along with all government and business sectors and our own activities and choices as consumers and voters.

KEEPING HARMFUL INSECTS OFF OUR DOGS

Plants defend themselves from insects in various ways, including the adaptive evolution of essential oils, which people have long recognized and extracted to ward off fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and other noxious insects. These natural products are infinitely safer than the synthetic insecticidal chemicals widely sold to animal owners that have caused animals much suffering -- and even death, as I have repeatedly documented in this column.

Veterinarian Dr. Bob Goldstein has formulated various sprays, spot-on treatments, powders and diffusing collars with essential oils of peppermint, lemon grass and cedar, as well as nutrient supplements that can help improve animals' immune defenses against external parasites and bloodsuckers. For more details about these products, including what I am putting on my dog now (Nature's Protection Flea and Tick Herbal Bug Spray), visit earthanimal.com.

DEAR DR. FOX: I saw an advertisement on TV from King Kanine for CBD/cannabis products for dogs. What is your opinion about what they are selling to the general public? I am concerned that this could mean dopey dogs, not to mention pet owners treating their animals, rather than qualified veterinarians. -- R.E., Washington, D.C.

DEAR R.E.: I checked the website of this company and have several concerns. You are right that dog and cat owners should not be diagnosing and treating their animal companions, especially with cannabis products.

Apart from that, I have concerns about these products' sustainability and efficacy. The product called King Kalm, for instance, contains krill oil as well as CBD, and I am concerned about the overharvesting of krill -- a vital food source for whales and other sea life -- for use as livestock feed and as supplements for humans and animals. The company's Mange and Mite Management product is not likely to get rid of sarcoptic and demodectic mange, which are communicable to other animals and humans.

The CBD-infused Dog Paw Moisturizer is made with THC-free CBD oil from hemp, plus natural beeswax, coconut oil and manuka honey. Again, I would question the need for this since dogs' paw pads toughen with age and do not need moisturizers like our hands and feet may. To remove winter street salt or summer sand from paws, washing them in soapy water and drying them well are all that is needed. By contrast, applying this "paw moisturizer" would lock these materials in! Dogs often lick their paws, and I would not like my dog licking this concoction. Paws have their own healthy bacterial community and scent glands, which dogs probably partially rely on in self-recognition when tracing their steps and orienting themselves outdoors. This product could disrupt that.

I question giving these CBD concoctions to dogs who are scratching and licking themselves when the causes of irritation have not been determined by a veterinarian. A food allergy could be the issue, which none of these products would help.

Additionally, there are several reports of dogs becoming acutely ill following consumption of cannabis (CBD and THC) products purchased by their owners for personal use. I do not believe that over-the-counter sales of CBD for companion animal use should be encouraged or permitted; these items should only be prescribed by informed veterinarians for diagnosed conditions.

(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.)