An average of 17 stray dogs are taken to the Dubbo Animal Shelter every week.

That’s not counting the dogs and litters of unwanted puppies, dropped off by the owners, or the dogs that have been surrendered due to an attack on a person or animal.

The shelter is full. Dogs and cats have to be put down due to lack of space.

Unwanted litters of puppies are getting dropped off at the shelter too young and being exposed to disease.

Sheep are being killed in savage dog attacks.

It would be an awful feeling, going out to the paddock to find your sheep bleeding to death, frightened and mauled.

It would be an even worse feeling realising your dog got out and went and attacked someone’s sheep.

An even more awful feeling if you learned the farmer shot your dog to protect his flock.

And for those dog owners who don’t care so much about the sheep or dogs, when council came knocking on your door with a hefty fine.

The responsibility rests purely on the owner.

If you want a pet dog that is not purchased for breeding, get it desexed.

There are already too many dogs in the world and plenty needing homes.

If you want a dog, make sure you have sufficient fencing so that it can’t go wandering.

If you have puppies, make sure they stay with their mother for their first eight weeks.

If you’re not going to do those things, don’t get a dog.