As both a veterinarian and a family physician for over 40 years, I understand how zoonotic diseases are transferred between animals and humans.

Data shows that a person’s chance of contacting a disease from a dog in a restaurant is essentially non-existent.

Generally, people who have dogs that misbehave do not take them out in public.

Those 15 percent of the population that are allergic to dog dander and saliva have symptoms only if they physically contact the allergen.

However, chances of contacting a disease from the child running uncontrolled in the restaurant with a runny nose or unwashed hands, a dirty table, utensils or dishes, the improper processing of your food, or hand-washing of the staff are infinitely more likely than from the presence of a dog on the floor.

Instead, maybe we should consider banning improperly processed organic vegetables that have been scientifically proven responsible for multiple epidemics.

Gary R. Johnson D.V.M., D.O.

Kaneohe

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