Should the homeless have pets?

Most people forget that dogs are able to cope with living outside and can deal with bad weather up to a certain point. I would never begrudge a homeless person the comfort (and possible protection) of owning a dog but it does beg the question of whether or not the dog is being cared for properly. However a lot of these dogs are strays which have been adopted by homeless people and otherwise they would more than likely have been put to sleep if they had been handed into the authorities. Being with your master and being loved has to be better than nothing or better than being left alone all day whilst your master is at work!