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| A German Sheppard |
With a concerned look and a dirty pale yellow bowl of water in her hand, Mama Sadiq bent over the sick little child, as he crouched vomiting and defecating on the bare floor in front of the house where she lived with her husband, Nurudeen Ajibike at Irewolede Estate, Idiomo, a suburb of Ibadan, Oyo State capital. Satisfied that the ailing toddler was done, she rinsed his mouth and washed his buttocks with a flush of the water and frisks of her left hands. And then beckoning to a mongrel lying in the shade of her Blacksmith-husband's workshop adjacent to the open space in front of the humble tenement, she called: "Agbon! Agbon !! Agbon!!! Wagba, wagba, wagba."
The hound sprang to its feet and hastened to devour with relish the vomit and fecal meal to which he
was invited, as the Blacksmith's wife led the little boy inside the house.....Read more after the cut
Agbon, which in Yoruba translates "waspish", is the popular name the dog earned for its famed aggressiveness and exploits as a hunting dog and security watch for his master, who combined his blacksmith trade with hunting and overseeing the security of the community just shedding its rural outlook on the outskirts of the capital city, as the leader of the Odua Peoples Congress in the area.
For his long years of diligent and reliable services, Agbon, a fully grown, albeit lean local breed, has had such vomits and faeces openly defecated by infants and adults in surrounding bushes and compounds as reward and meals. Oftentimes, the dog has to fend for itself, hunting leftover food and bones in neigbour's compounds, markets, as well as the Bukaterias (local eateries) springing up to serve construction workers in the neighborhood, being a new development area, to complement the poor ration he got from his indigent owner's household.
His exemplifies the condition of local dogs found in rural areas, or among the working class and slum dwellers in towns and cities across Nigeria. These dogs roam the streets, looking haggard, hungry and miserable, with flea- attracting injuries, rashes and sometimes tick infestation on their bodies. Because they lacked access to professional veterinary care, these animals often succumbed to diseases, sometimes fatal, as their owners, usually illiterates, either out of ignorance or attempt to avoid paying perceived exorbitant charges for professional treatment, resort to self medication.
It's no dog's life for some
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| Popular musician, Tee-Mac and his dogs |
However, of all known great dog -loving Nigerian public figures, Mr. Omatshola Iseli, popularly called Tee Mac, stands out. The famous flutist, businessman and former President of the Performing Musician Association of Nigeria (PMAN) is reported to have about seven Alsatian dogs living with him.
Tee Mac's dogs are named after famous world leaders and women. In the collection are: Mobutu Sese Seko, the late president of Zaire; George Bush; Balewa; Stella; Nefertiti; Sambo and an Alsatian breed dog, OBJ (for former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasasanjo) said to be most admired by the flutist, particularly for the feat of fathering 72 puppies in its 11 years of dog age.The Delta State born artiste said the weird choice of names for his dogs was more of compliment, rather than disrespect to the popular politicians, statesmen and celebrities to underscore his affection for his dogs. “I did not choose the names to insult anyone. My dogs are my best friends and they are all highly intelligent. I had two guard dogs in PMAN. One of them was called Charly Boy and the other , Tee Mac."
Other celebrities said to have tremendous passion for dogs is Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, who is said to refer to doggies as her "babies"; Chinedu Okoli popularly known as Flavour N’abania, (The super crooner, says a source, could be call d a dog fanatic, as he reportedly even "goes as far as playing his guitar to the delight of his little beasties.") and Empress Njamah, who apart from her love for nails, is also said to be fond of dogs, especially pugs. Also in is Seun Kuti, scion of late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who is said to own a bulldog.
In the political circuit, former Governor of Oyo State and leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), late Lam Adesina, was known to have deep passion for keeping dogs both as pets and for guarding his family. Two of hisAlsatians were so wild and always barking at visitors who entered his premises in Felele area of the Ibadan metropolis that a special space had to be provided for the throng of party loyalists and people wishing to see him, outside the house. Interestingly, his son, Hon Dapo Lam Adesina, elected into the House of Representatives last year and who used to mind the dogs before his father died, has continued with the legacy of keeping the dogs.
Renowned aviation security expert and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Centurion, a security service outfit in Maryland area of Lagos, Wing Comdr. John Ojikutu, loves dogs and until a few years ago, kept a Samoyed, the pint-sized beautiful breed named Tina as pet. So popular is this friendly exotic dog with associates and members of his family for its friendliness that two of his favourite cousins based in London and Canada respectively, Mrs. Taiwo Hannah Idowu and Florence Abeke (Nee Akinwande), who had spent their holidays with his family at their Agbara Estate residence, never failed to ask after the cute dog whenever they phoned home. The elderly ladies, now in their 80s, are particularly fond of Tina, because according to them, she was such a great delightful company. Madam Abeke says one of her greatest fun was seeing Tina dance and wag her tail, as her own sister, Taiwo, sang tunes after tunes for her.
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| Tonto Dike cuddling her pets |
Boom in dog business
Findings by Saturday Sun revealed that this demand is particularly driven by the worsening security situation in the country, which is forcing many Nigerians, especially those who could afford it to seek to protect themselves. Dr. Joseph Obiabo, the Chief Executive of Animal World Veterinary Clinic in Festac, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, says Nigerians' demand have shifted from ornamental dogs such as puddle, terrier and to some extent, even the mini-sized samoyed, which were mainly preferred for companionship and entertainment by the elite, to big, fearsome, aggressive and vicious dogs, to guard and keep criminals and other hues of miscreants with evil intent away from their homes and business premises, against the background of increased violent crime wave, especially kidnapping and robbery.
In this category are: Caucasians, Rotwellers, Pitbulls, Alsatians (the familiar police dog), German Shepherds, Greatdane, a giant Dutch hound, Bullmastiffs, Neopolitans and Boabus, a South African security dog, which is a crossbreed of the latter two. These hounds are huge, wild and dangerous, qualities which explain the preference for them.
For instance,the Boabus, which have ugly visage and come in Tiger, brown and fawn colours, are said to have been specially bred during Apartheid in South Africa to terrorize blacks who rose in constant rebellion against the obnoxious racist policy. The dogs are said to be so vicious that they love to bite and taste the blood of their victims. They only began to find their way out of the South African country after Apartheid collapsed, Saturday Sun learnt.
The Caucasian, on its part, is a hybrid of Alsatian and is said to have originated from the polar region, where it is used to guard livestock and fight wild animals. Rotweller, or Rot for short, is also an aggressive pet, said to be dangerous to keep at home, except it is well trained and familiarized with members of the owning family and their visitors.
But, perhaps, most dangerous is the Pitbull, which, vets say, does not remove its mouth as the teeth get locked in the flesh of any victim it bites.
Says Dr. Obiabo: "People have moved away from fancy pet dogs, LHasard and the rest. Even Terrier, which used to be popular, is going into extinction in the country. The same thing with Dorbaman, because they are lean and skinny and not as giant-like like the security dogs, although, some people still like to keep Dorbaman for security reason, because it is noisy and barks a lot. What you have now is people going for the giant and attack dogs to keep criminals and unwanted elements at bay."
Why we keep dogs, by owners
Dog owners confirm Obiabo's observation. A foremost lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) having six such massive security dogs guarding his residence in one of the reserved areas in Ibadan, Oyo State, explains that he acquired them purposely for security reason. His words: "We have had the dogs for sometime now, although we normally change them. They give one a sense of security, having them in the house especially when they are let loose in the night, because they are very sensitive and react sharply to the slightest sign of any intrusion. They can pick any strange movement from afar and they can be very wild, that we have to control or have them chained, whenever visitors are around."" The dogs, some of which were imported from Russia and South Africa include Rotwellers, bulldog; and a nine-year old Ridgehead, imported from South Africa, two of which, the eminent lawyer says, can kill a lion.
A businesswoman also resident in the Oyo State capital, Mrs. Adedoja Ilori, whose family keeps two Alsatians, says they were persuaded to rearing security dogs due to incessant robbery attacks and menace of cats and other animals that strayed and destroyed assets in their old compound which forced them to relocate from Orogun, where they used to live to their present abode in the Samonda Estate.
Cosmas Igbedioma, a resident of Ijesha area of Lagos and Chief Stephen Ayangbayi, a retired Permanent Secretary, who own four German Shepherds and two Mongrels respectively, gave the need for warding off intruders and alerting them in case of danger as major factor for acquiring the dogs. Igbedioma, a goods importer, quips: "I use them purely for security."
However, for others such as Mr. Debo Adeosun, Director, University of Ibadan Advancement Centre; Head, Department of Agricultural Extension, Prof. Olugbenga Adekoya and Hakeem Kilanko a retired federal civil servant who lives in Ikeja, the primary motive is love for the canines. "I have been keeping dogs throughout my life, indeed, from primary school days, when, I could recall, I saved up part of my pocket money and used it to buy puppies, which grew and started producing puppies too, which I sold. After graduating from the university and began to teach I kept dogs, while I taught in Kogi State, I had dogs, even when I was living at Orogun I had a dog which I named "Major' and I still have one now, an Alsatian, which I call by that name." Prof Adekoya , discloses that he always only keeps one dog at a time, save for when he got one as gift from a friend or when his dog, which mated with another dog, is delivered of a set of puppies. He, however, remarks that he fell in love and likes to play with dogs because of their friendliness, loyalty and mental capability to take instructions and obey commands issued by their owners.
For Adeosun, who is also a lawyer, he developed interest in dogs, when he saw the fact demonstrated that they could be the most faithful and loyal friends, anyone could have, even more than human friends. "I once lived in a house on Awolowo Road, Bodija, where there were about five exotic dogs. Before then I was indifferent about these creatures, until I saw one of them abandoned by his owner grew ecstatic on seeing the owner, when he returned after three years.
You needed to see the way he behaved. Even before that one came in, he was already jumping up and down, something he didn't do all the years that one left him behind. He just kept to himself. So, yes they are good for security reasons, to alert one, but for me it's love first. I keep them as pets, as friends. Those who say dogs are man's best friends hit the point. If you claim and show you love them, they 'll return your love with loyally, which means they will go the length to protect you, especially Rot, till they breath their last."
The UI boss says there was an instance when his dog, a Rot, mistook a pat on him given by a friend for a sign of hostility and charged at the man, in his apparent defense. According to him, having them for company gives one the assurance "that you have true friends around you, more faithful, more loyal and more friendly than even most human friends. When a dog wags its tail at you, jumps at you to play, or even attempts to kiss you, its from the depth of its heart, unlike those people who laugh with you, but have daggers in their hearts."
Kilanko echoes Adeosun. He says his passion for the animals grew from childhood too. "When I was much younger I had the energy to have dogs as pet. There is a mutual respect between me and my dogs. I look more for security; I love to live in quiet areas. I prefer them because they can't compromise and they are very faithful. For this the relationship between me and them is quite cordial."
Yet, other attraction for having dogs in the house is their reputed psychic ability to sense and alert their owners to impending dangers. Chief Lekan Alabi, veteran journalist and former General Manager, Corporate Services, Odua Investments Company, who says he used to keep dogs as pets but stopped not out of aversion to the creatures, but because his children for whose sake he did had all grown up, believes "dogs have spiritual abilities to warn of impending dangers and occurrences"
Prof Adekoya agrees: "I know of someone who was attacked by his dog as he dressed up to travel. Upset, he asked that he it be locked up. Unfortunately, he died that same day in a motor accident on his way. I know of at least two such cases that happened in Ife and Akure. The reason is that they can perceive aura and some things that may not be seen physically. The point is, things happen in the spiritual realm before condensing and manifesting physically. Even cats have such ability."
Backing this views, an industrialist and Fellow, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Dr. Kayode Olunuga, narrates how, from the benefit of hindsight, he realized his dog tried to warn him of the flood disaster that killed about a hundred people and devastated property including his house in Ibadan mid 2011. According to him, the hitherto obedient animal, which apparently had premonition of the impending tragedy, quite unlike it's usual habit and nature, stoutly resisted attempts by the house help, who tried to lock it up in its cage within the house about two days before the deluge. The downpour, when it came, flooded and destroyed part of the building including the fence and Olunuga, who was forced to abandon the house along with his family in the raging storm, had to order the dog unleashed and released from its habitat, which had become flooded and could have resulted in its death.
Yet, others are into dogs mainly because it has become big and lucrative business. Many Nigerians are acquiring the animals from abroad for breeding and sale because the pressure of demand for puppies of various species keeps driving prices up. A market survey showed that a puppy of an Alsatian fetches between N15, 000 and N35, 000; Rotweller- N50, 000 and N120, 000; Boabu- N65, 000 and N85, 000; Caucasian-N65, 000 and N85,000; while that of a Samoyed costs between N20, 000 and N40, 000, depending on thee age, size and breed, as well as the buyer's bargaining power. Mongrel, which is a crossbreed of any of these foreign dogs and the Nigerian local dog attracts the least price of about N10, 000. Others are: German Shepherd- Pitbull- N90, 000 and N150, 000, Puddle- N300,000.
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| Mr. Adeosun |
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| Mrs. Ilori |
Attractions for dogs listed
A dog specialist, Dr. Olutayo Omobowale, says that increasing appreciation of the dogs' value in security and as social animals is mainly responsible for the growing interest in the animals in Nigeria in recent times. He describes dogs as intelligent creatures, but notes that their levels of intelligence differ based on their species. For instance, he says: "The German Shepherd is very intelligent and that's why it is easy to train and used in security services, the same with Alsatians. But some breeds are not as intelligent as the others, for example, our local dogs here.". You certainly can't compare them with the German Shepherd." He notes that puppies raised within eight weeks could fetch between N100,000 and 150, 000
It was learnt that the cost could even be more expensive depending on the status and location of the dog business as well as that of the buyer along with his purchasing power.
For instance, says an industry source, you can get it comparatively cheaper in places like Ibadan, Abeokuta, Osogbo and other towns, as against Abuja, Ikeja, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki and Port Harcourt, where the upper class live.
An Ikeja based marketer, who says he sources his dogs from Canada and other Western countries, discloses that: "If I want to bring in a seven -week old puppy, depending on the breed I might be selling out about $3, 000 to $5, 000."
However, industry operators say demand for Terrier has dropped with only women and foreigners, especially Asians still asking for it.
Conversely, however, there has been an increase in demand for security dogs in crime-prone areas such as Amuwo Odofin, Ago Estate, Okota, in Lagos, which have recorded incessant cases of violent crimes including kidnapping and robbery, according to Obiabo, because: "The people have lost confidence in government, the police and even human security. He cites the case of a client, who, as a Muslim, he says, abhorred dogs, because his faith forbids association with the animals. "But, today, he has three dogs in his compound because the environment is not safe."
Although the veterinary doctor confirms that business "is moving', he admits it cannot compare with choice areas in the city where more affluent Nigerians live. "Here we don't get much, because the bills we charge even for nutrition, treatment of infection or diseases, and home (ambulatory) services including fumigation, although not specific, because they depend on the gravity of the situations, are very moderate and minimal."
Multiplier effect on veterinary products/services, dog accessories trade
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| A pet store |
Saturday Sun investigations show that maintaining the dogs can be very costly and challenging. Besides, the prices of dog food which range between N200 and N300 per can depending on the brands, (of which an adult dog consumes at least for, while a puppy is satisfied with just two), there is need for regular inoculation against rabies, medication, deworming, check up and bathing of the animals to avoid infestation of ticks and other parasites as well as fumigation or cleaning of their kennels/cages. Apart from these, the pets may come down with illnesses as a result of infection such as Pavo, babesiosis, or cancer, which require personal and professional veterinary care.
Cost of keeping dogs
To high net worth dog owners, this may not be much of a problem. For instance, The Ibadan senior advocate, who asked that his identity be protected, says feeding his six dogs gulps an average of N125,000 per month, while N75, 000 is spent on procuring drugs for them every six months!
In Mr. Kilanko's case, he says: "I feed my dog on…, it is a 22 kg bag before the exchange rate, it used to cost about N12, 000 a month and a dog will just do that in a month. Then again, you will see the result, I have options of doing less nutritional food, like noodles and some local meat, but I refused to, because I want my dogs to be in good health. When a dog is on this imported food you see the coat of the dogs’ skin shinning. It is always rabbies and wound free. That will save you a lot of problem like paying for vet services and so on. In terms of growing up, you must visit a vet and their drugs can cost not less than N5,000 per injection. You do your de-worming programme which is every month."
For Mr. Adeosun, he inoculates his dogs at N7,500 every year and feeds them on a 15kg bag of a brand of dog food which costs N5, 000, supplemented with milk, fish and other proteins and calcium rich diets. In addition, he deworms them regularly with N2,500 and employs a professional bather, who charges N2,000 per dog, to clean them up twice a month. "I lost two dogs when I tried to do it myself", he told Saturday Sun, as he unwittingly used a fumigant, "Pour On", warned against being used to wash pets.
Chief executive officer of Handi Maniac Kennel Services in Port Harcourt, Mr. Itemeyo Peter, says prices of dog food had risen with the volatile exchange rates and current fuel scarcity in the country.
His words: "Before now we get these foods for between N8,000 and N12, 000, but due to fuel scarcity and dollar rate we now get them between N13,000 and N15,000 and it is not very easy for us. Dogs are like human beings, they must eat. What we do now is to look for other means to feed these dogs and we also sell this formula to our customers."
However, the burden may be too heavy for some to cope that they resort to cost saving measures such as supplementing the dogs' diet with local foods or outrightly reducing their stock.
Finding himself in that strait once, Mr. Igbedioma confesses that he had to dispose off one of his pets. "I had four German Shepherd. I sold one to minimize the cost of feeding.," he says.
Owners like Mrs. Ilori and Prof. Adekoya, however, simply introduced their dogs to local foods prepared both at home or leftovers sourced at meagre fees from restaurants and parties. 'Well, I feed my dogs with party food which I get for between N200 and N500 per bucket stuffed with variety of nutritious food and bones, as well as waste in dome. I take them for regular check up at the veterinary hospital every month, I think that costs N2,500 and my children ensure they are regularly bathed," says the owner of Mokola-based Geohill International Company, a firm trading in printing materials and special cards.
"My dog feeds on whatever we eat at home. He's just an extra mouth, but I do spoil him with when I harvest from my ponds. W e spend N15,000 on vaccination per annum, give him delighting medication, which we buy for N1,000 that can last for months, to keep it health and free of ticks. But, I think the most important thing is to keep the dog in a healthy environment, so it cannot relate with local dogs that can infect it," reasons Prof Adekoya.
Chief Ayangbayi agrees, noting that the upkeep of the dogs is costlier when they are still growing up, but becomes relatively affordable in adulthood, as long as they are kept in hygienic environment and fed well.
Man's most loyal friends
Dog owners say they feel satisfied and fulfilled over their investments. Either as pets or security details, they affirm that the animals have proven to be more trustworthy and to have more integrity than human agents. Stressing this, Dr. Obiabo says: "That's why in spite of hiring security guards and erecting burglary proof, people still get these dogs to protect them, because they trust they won't betray them, unlike human beings, who will even lead the attack."
They say they enjoy a chummy relationship and bond with the canines, who openly display their love and affection by eagerly playing with them and members of their families. "We have very perfect relationship. Sometimes when I'm dressed up to go to church, they pounce on me and stain my white. I just go back and change. They are always eager to see and be with you. I've since learnt that if you don't want them to disturb or come near you, just don't look their way. And because they read people's mood, they won't. When I'm coming home, they can sense it from a distance, they know the car headlights and the sound of the car. Even if I sneaked in, the moment they hear my voice, their mood changes."
The university administrator says his entire family was distraught when he lost his former two dogs- named Caesar (Rot) and Sophie (Alsatian) to the fatal chemical bath, last year. But, nothing compares to his grief when he discovered that their third companion, which he sold for bringing into the household ticks, as a result of frequent straying, was bought for slaughter for pepper soup pot! Tallest, as he is called is a local breed and the oldest of the dogs. but, by its nature, it always left the compound to play with other local dogs, who repeatedly infected her with ticks. Tired of this stubborn attitude, Adeosun decided to sell it. When the recommended buyer came, Adeosun says, he was in agony over the crude and violent method he used to capture and drag the dog into a cage in which there were already other dogs. "It was when he rode away that the person who recommended the buyer told me that by tonight Tallest 's head would be swimming in pepper soup plate at a restaurant. I was devastated. I started imagining how they would slaughter it, the pains, but, there's nothing I could do."
Adekoya says his household loves his pet so much that: "He never goes hungry. My wife loves him so much that she makes his meals priority. Even if nobody has eaten yet, she asks if the dog has eaten. He's my first son, Tayo's best friend. He's fond of jumping on him and roughening him up. He doesn't like any stranger though. You could be coming to my house everyday, but, it takes a long time before he accepts or tolerates you. But, kids are welcome.
But for all that, there are cases in which some of these dogs, in spite of the privilege of being exposed to opulence and comfort, actually end up not enjoying them. This, a veterinary expert practicing in Abuja, the nation's capital, may arise where the usually busy owners have little time for them and the domestic hands or guards put in their charge, out of envy and engraved prejudice and mentality that their bosses spend so much money to feed and care for animals when they could hardly afford a decent meal starve these dogs, or fail to administer their drugs at the appropriate time. Some even reportedly eat the food meant for the dogs and kick or beat them up. But, when he owners ask after the pets' welfare, they always receive positive answer.
This, former Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker and politician, Dr. Akin Onigbinde, explains why he has not considered keeping dogs for any reason. "I believe dogs have life, and like humans, occupy a position and play a role in creation. So, if anybody takes the responsibility of looking after another life, he must convinced himself that such life will not be degraded, victimized, or ill treated by reason of captivity. He must be able to provide it good food, good place to rest and refer it to the vet when sickAnybody not ready to do this will only burden himself with a guilty conscience as being wicked. By reason of my commitment and busy schedule, that's why I believe there are other areas of priority I can give my attention."
But, dog owners who spoke with Saturday Sun say in view of the importance of the dogs, they involve all members of their families in and monitor the care of the pets, even where there are servants.
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| A dog owner sharing bed with his pet |
An editor with The Sun Newspapers also recalls how he was evicted from his rented apartment some years ago by her landlady after his dog attacked her visitor. The dog reportedly tore the woman's dress into shreds, leaving her almost nude. "The woman refused all my pleas and insisted I must pack out because my dog disgraced, hurt and embarrassed her friend," the senior journalist recounted.
Sometimes, there is an ironic twist in the relationship between the dogs, supposed in captivity and their owners, who untamed or even trained ones among the hounds can disobey and even attack. Dr. Obiabor narrates the experience of a couple in his area, who recently asked his help to recover and dispose of their dog, a Rotweller, which grew wild and uncontrollable and turned them hostages in their own house. "Both husband and wife dared not move near him, to the extent that if they wanted to feed him, they threw the food in his cage, because he has become a monster and terror," says the veterinarian, who said he had to apply minimum force and administer injection to sedate the wild dog before it could be removed from the house.
Mr. Adeosun too confirms that Rotwellers are dangerous to keep at home, particularly if not trained. There was a time my own attacked my daughter. I think there was a misunderstanding between them when he, probably trying to play, jumped at her. But, the girl is a reserved person, and I think, she wasn't in the mood and so tried to push him off. The dog saw it as an attack and charged at her."
Mr. Igbedioma also recalls: "There was a time one of them hurt me, because I changed my toiletries. I had visited United States. I was away for three months on the day I arrived I rushed straight to feed him. As I was opening his kennel he rushed me. Of course, I had changed. The weather in US changed my complexion.
As he rushed at me, the other dogs barked at him while they were in the kennel it was then that he stopped." He adds: "No friend of mine comes to my house, without informing me. Before they come in, I would have to leash my dogs for them to feel safe."
Mrs. Ilori says whenever her family had guests staying over for few days, they always tried to get their dogs, (the latest acquisitions, which are christened Poly and Dollar, the latter on account of the recent appreciation of the Dollar against the Naira), used to them. "When it's time to feed them,, we take the guest along and make sure he's the one that carries the food, so that they can recognize and get used to him. After they have become familiar with and sees him as part of the family, they will accept him and will not be hostile," she explains.
The position of the law on animal rights
Lawyers and Animal Rights activists are, however, concerned with the level of compliance and enforcement with the laws concerning keeping of dogs in the country, which, they observe fall short of expectation. They say although there is no law against the practice, the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights by UNESCO on October 15, 1978 and other protocol and conventions to which Nigeria is signatory, prohibit abuse, neglect or maltreatment of dogs like other animals. The responsibility and duty, says Mr. Sikiru Adewoye, a legal expert on animal rights devolves primarily on veterinary professionals, to ensure that these animals in the custody of their clients are well taken care of. "They have that duty also by virtue of the ethics of their practice and the Veterinary and Surgeon Act," Adewoye says.
But, he regrets that many cases of flouting of the laws including provisions of sections of the Criminal Code dealing with penalties for bestiality (i.e. sleeping with the dogs/animals) and other such offences and treatment of dogs, go unreported and even when reported are not diligently investigated by the Police, or prosecuted and punished.
Also, the author of the book, "Legal Framework for Animals and Game Management", published in 2007, is unimpressed with the fine imposed on a suspect convicted of neglecting his pet, which, he describes as paltry and unlikely to serve as deterrence. For instance, he notes, that the fine is only to the tune of the cost of taking care of the affected pet for the period of trial. Sometimes, says Adewoye, the pet is ordered disposed so as not to cause it further suffering.
He calls for proper monitoring and regulation of the practice and trading in dogs, as well as enforcement of the relevant laws on the rights of dogs. For instance, he notes that dogs used for work are entitled to rest, which in many cases, he says, are denied them.
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