Why do people feel the need to control other people's lives in regard to their pets?

Question

All I see on this site when someone asks about breeding, or about cropping/docking is that others try and control the person asking the question. They get answers like "your an irresponsible pet owner if you don't spay or neuter your pet", or "you should never crop or dock your pet as it's cruel and your an irresponsible person for doing so".

If you feel like that, then worry about your own pets and not anyone elses. It's not your job to tell them what to do with their pet. If they want to breed, then so be it, it's their pet. Just answer the question, don't force your morals onto question asker.

Besides, half of the answers are animal rights rhetoric and propaganda. It's like these people are reading these sites and spouting word for word what these sites do. Spaying a dog at 8 weeks? Are you looking to cause the dog orthapedic issues down the road? There are studies that now show spaying/neutering at all can cause worse problems then it prevents.

So again I ask, why?

To LY K:

I am hostile towards other's opinions because I see a lot of hostility towards those that want to breed, crop/dock or what have you. Your right, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but to be rude about it is another story all together.

To answer your question about why I am on here, because I generally answer questions on reptiles and sometimes about dogs. I do my best to answer questions with researched facts or answers that come from years of experience.

Actually Torbaynewfs (sorry about the spelling if I got it wrong), if communities would enforce the leash law or there is no leash law there should be, then maybe pet overpopulation would come down a whole lot.

I think they say 4-5 million pets are euthanized each year, that's not just because there aren't enough homes. That includes, owner requested euthanasia and dogs that can't be adopted for what ever reason, be it too sick, behaviour issues or what have you. The total number doesn't discriminate at all.

Also, here are a couple links to read through:

http://www.showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub/breedvet/castrationindogs.html

http://www.mmilani.com/commentary-200509.html
http://www.mmilani.com/commentary-200511.html

Your welcome LY K!

Wolfblayde, here ya go:

http://www.infopet.co.uk/pages/5031.html

Scroll way down, it has to do with longevity.

Answer 1

" if communities would enforce the leash law or there is no leash law there should be, then maybe pet overpopulation would come down a whole lot."

If leash laws were actually ENFORCED it would go a long way to reducing the number of unwanted dogs. The dogs would not be making their own breeding choices out on the street (which is where many unwanted litters are bred) and there would be much fewer dog attacks as well.

And yes, alot of the answers ARE from AR propaganda. Sadly, even the people that are actual dog people buy into it, and THEY should know better.

But the ARs have no interest in a real, workable solution. After all, if the problem were solved, what would they use in the nonending battle that is slowly removing our ability to own animals? What would they gnash their teeth about then?

Sad that so many buy into the AR BS. We will never win the AR war as long as people don't WAKE UP!!!

I have heard people on here advising to S/N at 8 weeks. And yes, the shelters do it at that age to make sure it is done. However, spaying young can lead to spay incontinence, and incontinence is often the reason the dog is given up to a shelter as an adult.

What I think is interesting is how people rant and rave about docking or dewclaws, while at the same time praising the risky and invasive S/N.

Also interesting that shelters in some areas have dogs shipped in from other areas (or even other countries) because they don't have enough homeless dogs in that area. I don't doubt some shelters are overwhelmed, but I also don't think the overpopulation problem is as bad as the AR groups would like us to believe.

Answer 2

People are entitled to their opinions and you just have to take the good with the bad.

I personally don't think cropping/docking is needed and would never do it. I would also let someone know that many of the dog clubs no longer require these procedures for the breed either. Just sharing information, that's all. If they want it done, they'll still do it. But when someone says they want to crop the dogs ears, instead of having a trained vet do it, that gets me a bit more upset. They're likely going to put their dog thru a world of pain and risk death due to the possibility of infection from a non-sterile environment.

I am also a firm believer in spay/neuter as well. I've been to the shelters and I've seen many a dog that owners just didn't want. Why add to the population. Personally, if the dog isn't a pure breed, I don't see the need to breed it if it can be avioded. There are plenty of people who will not be responsible with their pets, choosing to not have a spay/neuter done and just not keeping an eye on a female in heat and take the proper steps to make sure she doesn't get to a male, and add to the population, so if a few people can be educated a little bit here, I don't see why it's so bad.

So many here who are breeding are NOT doing it in a responsible fashion. Not all, but many. I don't see the point in breeding a dog that isn't or hasn't been health certified. All breeding an unhealthy dog does is pass problems on to the puppies, which will give their future owners a nice dent in their checking accounts, assuming they are willing, otherwise, they just get sent to the pound or dumped somewhere.

Some day, I'm sure I will get harrassed if I ever inquire about pure bred breeding, that I know I will do at some point. But hey, it's just their opinions and at least I can walk away with some good answers, right?

Answer 3

There's an old joke among dog trainers, and that's if you put five of us in a room and ask us a question, you'll get six different answers. For that reason, I may make a suggestion, but I'll frame it with words like "In my opinion" or "Based on my experience."

I have some pretty strong opinions about certain issues, but again, they're based on personal observation -- not just what I've read or heard about. If someone else is looking for help or wants another opinion, fine, I'll say what I think. They *did* ask, after all.

The only time when I get a little testy is when someone has a sick pet and comes here wanting a diagnosis. I'm not a vet, and even if I was, I couldn't tell what's wrong by telepathy via the Internet.

Bottom line: people are going to do what they're going to do. If I can help them make a good informed decision, great. If they don't agree with my suggestion or take my advice, no skin off my teeth.

BTW, I'm interested in reading more about the study you mentioned on spaying causing more problems than it solves. Could you please provide the URL or tell me where you read this info so I can do some further research? Thanks!

Answer 4

Because 99% of the people shouldn't be breeding their pets. They do it for the wronf reasons and don't do it properly. They are asking a public forum for opinions/answers-they should be asking their vet or have the answers to the questions before they breed. Millions of pets are euthanized or abdoned every year. Only 1 out of 10 dogs or cats born each year in the US find a pernament home. Most dogs never see their 2nd birthday. It is our responsibility as humans to stop this madness. I think people should have to have a license to breed animals-sometimes I think to even own them. There are far more health problems associated with not spaying or neutering than with... Almost every intact male dog over that comes into the veterinary clinic where I work has some behavior or health issue directly related to him not being neutered. Know how many EMERGENCY spays we do on unspayed females? Know how many get mammary cancer they never would have gotten if they were spayed? That's real fun...shelters spay and neuter pets very young to make sure it gets done and so they don't have more problems to pay for. Many vets still will not do it until the pet is around 6 months old.

Answer 5

Talk about propaganda!!!!!!!! There are no credible studies that suggest that NOT spaying and neutering at ALL is better that having it done. We all know what would happen if that became the norm. There would be a pet explosion and shelters would have to euthanize more animals than they do now. And I know how many that is right now, because I am the one doing most of it at the shelter I work at.

As for all the breeding questions.......they ask. They post here for opinions. That is what they get. If some of the dimwits that post on here are dumb enough to post the stupid questions that they do...they deserve what they get. I am so sick of freaking LAZY A** idiots that cannot even operate their search engine long enough to find out for themselves how long their dog is pregnant for. If they are that dumb, they THEMSELVES should not be breeding, let alone letting their animals breed!!!!! The world is FULL of laziness and stupidity, there is no need to ignore it.
You post a stupid question, you may not like what you hear. And it is not like at least 5 people a DAY do not ask the same stupid question. If they do not want answers, they should go someplace else!!!!!!!
And I really do not recall people saying that everyone should spay and neuter at 8 weeks.

The number is WAY low because of several reasons. One is that many No-Kill shelters DO euthanize and cannot claim the number that they are doing. I know this from personal experience!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And most of the numbers do not reflect the number that are being euthanized at most vet hospitals. The numbers only reflect the shelters that are Kill shelters and report their numbers!! And the leash law would do very little for keeping unwanted litters from happening. IT is irresponsible owners most of the time, and not wayward dogs. That is what many people would have you believe. No one wants to admit that they LET it get pregnant with a friends dog so the heat would stop because they were sick of dealing with it. And it would not stop that male that is never off on his own except that ONE time when smelled the dog down the street that is in heat and got away. The female was left TIED up outside (legal) while she was in heat and is now pregnant. You are not going to be able to control that. Dogs go on instinct. If they are intact, they will exhaust all efforts to breed, and many will be successful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is something we do NOT need!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Spaying and neutering is essential!!!

Answer 6

I have seen some of the responses that go beyond rude, with calling people stupid, etc.
But, I think education about the over population of animals is worth spending a few mintues typing without being rude.

If someone is breeding to better the breed, does their research, make sure the dogs they are using are genetically sound, that they get GOOD homes, then yes it is up to them if they want to breed a dog. Those breeders should be willing and able to take back ANY dog that does not work out in the new home.
HOWEVER, let's be realistic about the poor dogs and cats that are waiting for homes in EVERY town/city animal shelter.
I volunteer with the animal shelter where I live and EVERY SINGLE DAY over 20 animals or many more are brought in and there is NO MORE ROOM FOR THEM. They are healthy, happy and just want a home where someone will love them.
For every dog/cat that gets adopted about 50 a week are killed.That is JUST in one shelter. There are MANY that are pure bred dogs, not just mixed breeds.
All *I* ask is before we keep producing more and more and more and more puppies, that each person go and watch the dogs and cats that are already on this earth DIE because there are more animals waiting for homes than there are good homes for them.
I'm not against breeding ... I'm against people not caring and letting their dog in heat breed with the neighbors dog and then think "Oh, well.. I'll just drop them off at the shelter and they'll get good homes.." THERE ARE TOO MANY OF THEM and MOST of them will be put to sleep..
ALL I ask is go and hold these little/big dogs and cats and watch them as they are killed.. Because WE (HUMANS) caused it to happen.. WHY? Because it is OUR RIGHT!

Answer 7

Many people are passionate about animals. Much like religion and politics, they become fanatical and dogmatic (pun intended) about their beliefs on how animals should be treated. I think it is a little harsh to say people are 'trying to control' each other, they just feel strongly and perhaps become too judgmental.

The fact is there ARE too many stray animals. Thousands of dogs, cats, and other pets are euthanized each year because there are no homes for them all, or because of behavioral issues often rising from abuse/neglect. I believe that people should spay/neuter any animal they do not intend to breed (assuming they are going to breed them responsibly).

I am less concerned about cropping, docking, declawing, etc. Certainly, under the supervision of a vet, I don't see these things as being a problem.

Answer 8

I dont feel the need to control anyones life but I do think that people that breed dogs that are not up to breed standards and mutts need to stop...just because you have papers on a dog doesnt make it ok...as a rescue I see way to many dogs (especially) of the bully breeds that are the cause of someone trying to make a quick buck....who suffers for this? not the irresponsible human that bred the dogs..hell,they can just dump the pups they dont sell on a rescue or shelter ..or better yet they can give them to some other person who can turn around and do the same thing again!!!! pet quality dogs do not need to breed!!! only dogs free of genetic problems that are going to contribute to the breed need to reproduce and the people breeding them need to limit the number of litters they have.if they breed and 4 out of 6 pups are up to the breed standard then the 2 that are pet quality need to be sold with a spay/neuter contract.....I dont agree with spaying/neutering at 8 weeks old but do agree that spaying/neutering needs to be done to help control the overpopulation problem....

Answer 9

Whether you spay or not is up to you. What's irresponsible is if you let your dog roam the streets freely. Your dog could become pregnant, get another dog pregnant, bite someone, get hit by a car, or cause a car accident. They should be properly taken care of. I have no problem with getting a dog from a breeder but if one does, make sure you do the research. If not, adoption is a great idea.

Answer 10

Thanks for answering my questions mentioned in this post!
Spaying or neutering should only be done at the age determine adequate by a licensed veterinarian. This age is typically around six months but depends on the breed and type of dog and his general health. Before any surgery preoperative blood work should be done to evaluate an animal's organ function. People on here are entitled to their opinion and if their opinion is copied word for word from some animal rights site they are accepting it as their opinion. People on here are often asking questions it seems because they want an easier way to do things or a cheaper way in order to avoid veterinary care, often they need to be informed of what is best for their animal. Besides if they were looking for licensed advice they would not be on a web forum like this one. I don't feel as though making a suggestion on here is someone trying to control another person, however they may try to persuade them to listen to their belief and experience. If you are so hostile to peoples' opinions why are you on here? Have a great day!