But in the United States, where pet vaccination and stray-dog-control programs are strong, rabies has a different face: Raccoons and skunks are by far the top four-legged viral hosts.

We need to make clear the connection between animal research and a grandmother's hip replacement, a father's bypass operation, a baby's vaccinations, and even a pet's shots.

The law ought to cover animal population control and responsible pet ownership, which means people should vaccinate their animals from rabies and other contagious disease.