Owning man's best friend is not suitable for everyone

I have often wondered why some people decide to own dogs when they are either not in a position or don't have the appropriate temperament to do so.

A dog is considered man’s best friend owing to the different roles it can play through its association with humans. Some of these roles include hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and the military, as well as offering companionship. Some dogs serve as guides for disabled people such as the blind.

What is clear is that many people decide to own a dog without considering the reasons and the responsibilities that come with such a decision.

Furthermore, they never think thoroughly about the commitment that being a dog owner entails. It is disheartening to note the number of dogs not being properly looked after and subjected to acts of cruelty and neglect. Some “dog owners” do not even take care of basics such as feeding them, leaving them to fend for themselves.

Such dogs end up being nuisances to the neighbours by rummaging through their dustbins in search of food and leaving a mess in the process. Some dogs are not kept on leashes and are allowed to roam the streets and terrorise children who happen to pass by.

Even some adults are terrorised by these dogs. Stories abound of children and adults who have been victims of savage attacks by vicious dogs,  some resulting in fatalities.

It is also not uncommon to find some people deciding to own a pack of dogs when they struggle to make ends meet themselves. With poverty being a major issue, particularly among the black population, incidents of dog neglect are more prominent though not strictly confined to such surroundings.

Owning a dog, or any other pet for that matter, is sometimes beyond the means of impoverished individuals whose main priority would naturally be to satisfy their own basic needs. Owning a dog entails a financial, emotional and time commitment from the owner and failure to recognise such is folly. Some of the responsibilities of owning a dog include drawing up a consistent schedule among family members for giving food and water to the dog.

There should also be a consistent diet for the dog to ensure its health and fitness. There are some so-called dog owners who go around asking for “dog food” for their pets during ceremonies where there is leftover food. Some people find such tendencies annoying and culturally inappropriate, especially during ancestral ceremonies.

Another financial obligation is to ensure that a dog is taken for regular check-ups with the veterinarian. A dog has to be bathed to repel fleas and ticks which might endanger its health. Dog nails have to be clipped and their teeth need to be cleaned.

Owning a dog is serious business and no child’s play as owners need to play with, walk and talk to their dogs in an effort to socialise them. Good behaviour in dogs has to be reinforced through praise to ensure repetition of such desired behaviour. To instil a sense of purpose in a dog, it has to be given a job such as fetching newspapers in the morning.

The list of commitments that go with owning a dog is extensive and not to be taken lightly. It is an indictment on society for man’s best friend to be subjected to the worst forms of abuse and neglect. The German philosopher, Immanuel Kant observed that “he who is cruel to animals becomes hard in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.”

That has a ring of truth to it. Before anyone decides to own a dog, they have to think long and hard about such a commitment, which almost equates to deciding to bring a child into the world.

• Lee is a Sowetan reader and a social commentator who contributes regularly to debates on our opinion pages