Plastic bottles not the only answer

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 239, 12 April 1988, Page 9

Plastic bottles not the only answer

People who litter their lawns with water-filled plastic bottles wouldn't have to do so if dog owners had their pets neutered. Having male dogs neutered has proved a successful remedy for many years, says the small animal spokesperson for the national, 410-member Vetmark Group, Dr Tedi Busch. It's one social policy cat owners adopt that dog fanciers generally ignore, he said. "It probably comes down to the nature of the two pets - dogs are usually amiable Lotharios while tom cats can rival Genghis Khan

with their scorched earth approach to mating." Dr Tedi Busch, suggests politely it might be the time for dog owners to consider their responsibilities in this area. "Female dog owners don't always welcome the amorous attention of male dogs during breeding cycles and thcre's fairly obvious reasons for their lack of enthusiasm. "The most obvious signs are often little piles left behind on the

lawn as a calling card - the very thing that the plastic bottle brigade are trying to prevent." That's to say nothing of the unwelcome pattcr of unexpected little paws nine weeks down the track - and the even more dramatic results of some mis-matings, particularly when the owner had visions of flogging off a litter of pedigree puppies, he said. "Having your dog neutered will end his macho wanderings, and it's an operation easily handled by your vet."