Lucy the "adorable mutt"

The Daily Mail explained the proposal is part of an effort to “overhaul dog laws in England and Wales” and that the extra costs associated with the requirements would add up to about $89. Proponents say the measure would promote responsible dog ownership. Opponents insist it will be nothing more than a costly bureaucratic pain in the tush for people who already care for their animals, while the very owners the laws are supposed to address will ignore the requirements.

One has to wonder what makes for a “competent” dog owner. What would the questions be? Who would grade the answers? What if you were told, “No, you are not competent enough to have a dog.”

If this sounds ludicrous to you, I’m on your bandwagon. Responsible dog ownership is the desired norm. I love dogs – mine are part of the family. But is my level of pampering for my three indoor dogs (one German shepherd, a heeler and an adorable mutt) what is expected for everyone? What about my dad’s border collie, the one who had a canine tooth kicked out the other day by a nasty old cow? My dad loves that dog, but work is work and sometimes ugly things happen. A trip to the vet, a day of rest and Buzz the border collie was back to his job – one he loves. Is this "responsible" dog ownership according to a goverment worker's guidelines?

Of course, the next step in the process is to apply the idea of a “competency test” for those desiring to own and breed horses. You laugh, say it won’t happen…  With the debate about horse breeding in the United States and the reality of unwanted horses, why wouldn’t activists be pushing in this direction? Makes sense when you look at it from their vantage.

Question is:  Would the largest horse owner in the United States pass the test?

Read the Daily Mail article