Ethicists’ commentary on confronting misinformation in the animal-care community
Ethical question of the month, February 2024
While discussing vaccine protocols with the owner of a new puppy, you learn that the owner and head trainer at a local dog education center has also been discussing vaccines with dog owners. Specifically, they have advised that rabies vaccines can cause both behavioral and learning problems in dogs. The trainer also offers advice on how to create or alter a rabies vaccination certificate to allow a dog to cross the Canada-USA border and for kennel admission where vaccination is required.
You attempt to educate the owner about the lack of validity of the vaccination concerns and the risks of falsifying documents for a designated reportable disease. You do not know the trainer personally, but you are aware this person is highly regarded in the community. You are concerned about backlash, especially on social media, if you take action. What do you do under such circumstances?
Clare Palmer, Peter Sandøe, & Dan Weary comment on this dilemma and you can read it here: Ethicists’ commentary on confronting misinformation in the animal-care community (pdf)