Reader Response Exercise
“Dogs, the Other Victims of the Opioid Crisis” is an article by Douglas Main published in the National Geographic Magazine. The article explores how the opioid crisis has impacted dogs. According to this article, dogs are often the unrecognized victims of the opioid crisis. For instance, a recent peer-reviewed study revealed that around 600 calls are made each year to report accidental ingestion of opioids by pets (Main). Dogs are usually very curious, which results in them ending up sniffing or eating all kind of drugs. Just like in human beings, opioids can have severe effects on dogs.
The article by Main left me in disbelief. Before reading this article, I knew that the opioid crisis a serious problem in the country. I knew that the problem has negative effects on the country’s healthcare sector and the economy. However, I was not aware that the abuse and misuse of opioids was a serious problem for dogs. Most importantly, I care very much about dogs. For me, dogs are just as important as human beings. While human beings can control their opioids addiction or seek help from friends and hospitals, dogs cannot. As such, I still shocked after learning the extent to which people’s negligence and addiction are endangering the lives of innocent pets, such as dogs.
I have numerous questions that remain unanswered about the opioid crisis after reading the article by Main. For example, I would like to know how this problem can be decreased or eliminated as well as what is already being done to address it. Also, I would like to know what federal animal protection agencies are doing in terms of offering guidelines to veterinarians and the public on how to identify and reports incidents of pets that they suspect have been exposed to opioids.