Should homeless people be allowed to own dogs?
By Eucalyptus
@Eucalyptus (151)
May 11, 2012 4:30pm CST
This is a contentious issue which tends to spark quite a few arguments - so let's keep it civil!! Should homeless people be allowed to own dogs? Forcing a dog to live on the street is different from making your own choice to live on the street...but does this mean the dog would have a better quality of life or indeed a happier life living in a domestic setting? Is it cruel to use your dog to beg on the streets and gain pity, as some choose to do? It;s important to establish that not all homeless people mistreat their dogs - to do so would be ignorant. Do you think homeless people take better care of their dogs, or love them just as much? What are your views?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
12 May 12
What about when the dog is seriously injured? The homeless person isn't going to be able to cover that expensive fee and these days the police will even come after you if a pet is not given proper medical care.
@Cutie18f (9546)
• Philippines
11 May 12
I have seen a couple who are scavenging for a living and they own two dogs who look healthy. I think they are treating their dogs well. Unlike my neighbors' dogs which are tied with short ropes and not fed well. In face, I have seen the couple carrying the dogs when they think they feel tired.
@arceusvb25 (45)
• Philippines
12 May 12
Here in the philippines, any person can own a dog the native one, even hmeless people,
@collectingstardust (94)
• United States
12 May 12
I think homeless people should be allowed to take care of dogs. I've never seen a homeless person with a dog where the dog looks underfed, and I've lived in a big city all my life with lots of homeless people. It's easier to feed a dog than you think, they can eat garbage scrapes, and also some animal shelters will feed dogs for free. It's better than putting them in a shelter for the rest of their lives or having them euthanized. They may not have the nicest home, but dogs do not care about that. They just care about being around their owner and food.
@rewardsinlife (1132)
• United States
11 May 12
I actually have seen that homeless people are nicer to their dogs, than they are to themselves. I have seen on multiple occasions where the owner will give the dog something to eat first, and then themselves. The dog probably thinks it is just a nice long adventure actually to live on the streets. Now I am sure it becomes a little more controversial when it needs to be washed or get shots, but even people who live in really nice houses can avoid these things too....so why not, it is always good to have a companion.
