Your article about a rise in dumped pets (Oxford Mail, September 12) was heartbreaking to read.

Day after day we read and hear in the media, news items regarding dogs, dangerous dogs, abandoned dogs, abused dogs, sanctuaries over-run with dogs and the evil trade of puppy farms.

It is clear that this country can no longer claim to be a nation of ‘dog lovers’.

Something needs to change and needs to change quickly.

If people cannot afford to oversee the welfare of their pets, they should not have the privilege of owning one.

Adequate food, shelter and veterinary care although supported by law, appears in many cases to be sadly lacking.

We need to go back to basics, neutering, castrating and spaying.

There are far too many dogs in this country (and the world) that are not cared for.

There are far too many inadequate individuals who should not be owning any animal.

And there are those who let their animals produce litters time and time again with no thought for their future well being.

Neutering animals should be law, except for those seeking to breed, then application should be made.

No, I have no idea how this would be enforced.

The ‘dog problem’ is getting out of control as thousands of dogs and cats are deemed expendable and euthanised every year, many due to people who simply no longer want them.

Sanctuaries struggle to cope with the hundreds of animals that are abandoned daily.

Obviously any case of a caring, loving owner who has to give up their pet due to financial constraints is heartbreaking, and they deserve help to enable them to keep their pet.

It is not a human right to own a dog (or any animal), it is a privilege.

Education into ownership and welfare needs to be addressed urgently, otherwise the situation can only worsen.

And who suffers? Certainly not this nation of 'dog lovers'.

DENISE BUNCE Address supplied