The move to stop the sale of dogs as delicacy in Nigeria has reached momentum as over 9,948 persons have signed an online petition urging President Muhammadu Buhari to ban the sale as soon as possible in the country
Penpushing reports that, the lead petitioner Natasha Choolun, a United Kingdom-based International Animal Rights Activist started the campaign a year ago, which is hosted on Chage.org and titled ‘Stop Nigeria’s Barbaric Dog Meat Industry’
The campaign, however started gaining momentum on Thursday as thousands of people keyed into it and joined to appendix their signatures on the petition profusely calling on the Nigerian government to consider the petition for necessary action
“Nigeria’s dog meat trade has become so prosperous that dogs are taken from surrounding countries such as Niger and transported into Nigeria, to bolster its growing demand for dog meat, also known as 4O4.”, the petition reads
“While Nigeria has a growing number of pet owners who have dogs and cats as companions and not for consumption, these owners live in constant fear of having their companion stolen by a local dog or cat thieves, knowing their pet would be sold to a dog trader or butcher, for quick cash”,the petition added
Penpushing further reports that Choolun, who is the initiator of the campaign, noted that, the dog meat trade has gained economic value in Nigeria, as neighbouring countries like Niger transport them into the country to meet the growing needs
The Animal Rights Activist pointed out that, dog owners are scared of their pet’s safety, also advocated a ban on ‘‘The Dog Cat Wildlife Meat Trade and Wet markets’’ worldwide, expressing feared that the dog meat industry would make tourists susceptible to transmittable diseases, apart from the gruesome death the ‘companion animals’ are subjected to.
”Arriving at dog markets, exhausted dogs are unloaded for sale, then crammed back into different cages and reloaded onto different trucks for more gruelling journeys toward dog slaughterhouses, where they face a brutally violent death”,she said
“Nigeria’s Slogan ‘Good People, Great Nation’ should also include its animals and consequently engage police and magistrates to be in sympathy with Nigeria’s animal cruelty laws, to implement and enforce them,Choolum added”
“Local residents and international tourists are placed in jeopardy because of the constant threat to health through transmittable diseases such as rabies, related to Nigeria’s dog and cat meat trade”,she stated
“It is unfortunate that Nigeria’s positive new image is tainted by the existence of a cruel dog and cat meat trade which casts a negative shadow over Nigeria. Dogs and cats are companion animals and not food items.”
The lead campaigner encouraged President Buhari to implement policies that can protect the lives and safety of dogs,and asked him(Buhari).to implement existing laws against animal cruelty, maltreatment and neglect.”
“We respectfully ask that the President of Nigeria implement existing laws against animal cruelty, maltreatment and neglect.” Also, he should provide funding for traps, neuter and release programs to prevent street dogs and cats from breeding.” All dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies, ban dogs and cat meat in Nigeria and shut the trade down.”
Penpushing reports that,dog meat is a delicacy relished in the south-eastern part of Nigeria, particularly in Akwa-Ibom and Cross River States, where it is often prepared with ‘Kaikai’ (local gin) and Ntong (scent leaves) and sold at major joints.
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