In recent weeks the shelter at the Franklin County Animal Control Office has drawn criticism from some area residents for the treatment of animals.

One of the biggest complaints has been about the after-hours drop off bin. Area residents met with the county commission Monday to address their concerns and it looks as though the bin will be removed.

While that will be a quick solution to one problem, other concerns might take weeks or months to be resolved as residents, the county commission and the animal control office work together to find solutions.

Of course, the best solution to this problem is for pet owners to be responsible — have your pets spayed or neutered. By controlling the pet population there is less need of a place like the Franklin County Animal Control Office, which exists to handle unwanted animals.

Every year thousands of pets across the state of Alabama are euthanized because pet owners do not have their pets spayed or neutered.

While having this procedure done can be a little expensive, it saves much more money by not having to spend valuable resources caring for and euthanizing unwanted animals — the numbers of which seem to grow every year.

Had more people acted responsibly, there would not be a controversy at the Franklin County Animal Control Office. Please be responsible and help keep the pet population of Franklin County under control.