Dont own dogs if you can't afford to care for them.
When you can walk in that mans shoes and live his life, then you have the right to tell him what he can own. Your comment sounds like a typical comment from them animal rights people.
A similar comment was made when my dog broke his leg. I got it fixed at a cost $1500, which i would do again. I value my dogs more than ANY human, including myself. I place their needs before my own.