I found it very offensive that Sandra Cassar referred to our mongrel dogs as substandard. I can assure her that my dogs, even though they are not pure breed, are priceless to me. I have been through more heartache than she will ever go through as I rescued my pets from a skip and nursed them back to health practically from the point of death. I think the only point Franco Farrugia was trying to make was that with so many dogs in sanctuaries desperately needing a home, why is all this breeding being allowed?

She is correct in stating that neutering is a must to reduce the stray population, but there is no such thing as a stray animal: these are dumped and abandoned animals by heartless people. But please, they must not be looked upon as anything less than precious just because they are not pure breed. The love they give us is unconditional.