Bailey’s 17 Puppies

Re “Sweet 17: Pooch Produces Prodigious Progeny,” Jan. 16.

The owners of that dog, Jim and Lillian Shaw, should be ashamed of themselves! Having 17 puppies is certainly nothing to be proud of. Millions of animals are destroyed every year at animal shelters around the country, not to mention all the throwaways that suffer a painful death on the street. There is no excuse for not having your cat or dog spayed or neutered. Not only does it cut down on the pet overpopulation problem, but it makes for a happier, healthier pet.

By their lack of responsibility regarding their dogs, the Shaws are teaching their two daughters that it is OK to be irresponsible and not bother having your pets spayed or neutered.

REBECCA L. LOZA

Burbank

* The picture of 17 tiny puppies was heartwarming; who wouldn’t be touched to see these fuzzy little babies? But the story should have been told as a modern-day tragedy rather than a . . . triumph.

The owners of Bailey say they have homes lined up for most of the offspring. What about the rest? And will the homes they have lined up do as they have done, allow their animals to breed and produce even more dogs that will probably end up at the pound or roaming our streets, unwanted, starving, injured and diseased?

LOIS NEWMAN

Los Angeles

* My concern is because of a pending state Senate measure involving dog breeders and responsibility. In general, it is not the serious breeders of purebred dogs who create problems (unwanted and/or abandoned dogs) in animal shelters or humane societies, it’s backyard breeders (owners of both mixed and AKC registered dogs) who allow their un-spayed females to reproduce. Very few of these owners seriously interview prospective puppy buyers and carefully place their puppies. Neither are they willing to accept the responsibility of taking back a puppy that doesn’t fit into its new family’s lifestyle, has health problems, etc. These are the typical situations that create homeless dogs.

SANDRA GROESCHEL

Lancaster