Wacoans are understandably reluctant about more government intrusion in their lives, but when the alternative is costing lives and heaping further costs on taxpayers, most of us would agree we should assume certain responsibilities as a society — especially when it comes to ensuring Fido is fixed.

In recent years, the Waco City Council has naturally been tentative about imposing fees and requirements on local pet owners, but we’re squarely behind the local Animal Control Advisory Board’s recommendation that city residents be required to spay or neuter animals over 6 months old or pay for an annual permit allowing them to keep the animals “intact.”

The cost of the permit hasn’t been set, but local advocates of the idea say it should be enough to encourage the sterilization option. If you really want your animal “intact” in San Antonio, it costs you $50. In Dallas, which has one of the most ambitious programs of this sort, the fee is $70.

Hardship? Possibly, but consider the intolerable alternatives: The Waco Humane Society reportedly took in 10,000 animals last year in the greater McLennan County area. It euthanized 6,300 because the animals were sick, aggressive or simply unwanted. Many of the abandoned are mere pups removed from their mothers before they had even a fighting chance to survive.

Yes, some will protest this as another example of government invading our lives. But we prefer to side with advisory board official Stacie Virden, who is one of the most conservative people we know in politics.

In this instance, she notes, the status quo is not working. The problem of unwanted dogs and cats has been constant in our area. Those of us in the city are tired of paying for the care, lodging and euthanizing of dogs and cats. Those of us in the country are tired of having them dumped near us.

Those who want pets should take responsibility for their health and our region’s overall welfare by either spaying or neutering their animals or paying for the privilege of letting them remain potential problems.

While exemptions would be allowed for show animals, working and service dogs, and animals that a veterinarian has recommended not be altered, the Animal Control Advisory Board’s proposal is forward-minded and way overdue. We urge the City Council to move promptly in adopting it.