Good Morning Britain guest argues it’s ‘selfish’ for elderly people to own a dog, internet responds

Good Morning Britain aired a controversial debate on pet ownership this morning, with one guest arguing it’s ‘selfish’ for elderly people to own a dog.

Presenters Susanna Reid and Adil Ray hosted the segment, which was sparked by novelist Jilly Cooper announcing she wants another pooch at the age of 84.

Columnist Lara Asprey joined the ITV programme to argue that older people should be ‘careful’ about taking on a dog ‘when you’re in the later stages of life’.

‘You have to be considerate to the dog, it needs to have a home it can live in for its life too,’ she warned. ‘It’s a sense of responsibility.’

Lara went on to say that she doesn’t understand the need for pensioners to have sole responsibility over the animal and suggested they could club together to share ownership.

‘I think the elderly could, if they wanted to, share a dog, borrow a dog, or just have an arrangement with a friend or family member before getting a dog to say if anything happens to me, will you be its guardian?’ she continued.

Lara Asprey believes it’s ‘selfish’ for elderly people to own a dog (Picture: ITV)

‘Otherwise, I feel it’s not really fair on the dogs, it’s a bit selfish.’

Jan Leeming, 79, firmly disagreed with Lara’s view and highlighted care is taken into matching people with rescue dogs based on their abilities.

Sher also pointed out: ‘You can take on a dog at 30, you can have a child at 30 and sadly you might pass away. I think that’s a bit narrow.’

Viewers were up in arms over Lara’s stance too, with one writing: ‘Absolute rubbish @GMB If it wasn’t for the fact that my elderly Dad had a dog after my mum passed away his life would have been much shorter, it gave him the motivation to get out every day & get on with his life.’

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Echoing a similar sentiment, another penned: ‘How terribly disrespectful to lots of older people who care beautifully for dogs. Is she for real??’

What do we reckon then?

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.

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