While dogs can be loving companions to their owners, they can pose a threat to unfamiliar faces if not properly restrained. It’s common practice to keep dogs on leashes or in cages to prevent them from attacking strangers.
However, in Ogun State, this practice seems to have been overlooked, leading to an increase in dog bites in the area. Concerned by this trend, the police command in Osun State issued a warning to dog owners in Osogbo, urging them to cage their pets or face potential arrest.
According to SP Yemisi Opalola, the spokesperson for the command, allowing dogs to roam freely is a violation of the Dog Act Cap 35 Law of the Federation of Nigeria. She emphasized that it’s an offense if any dog escapes and bites someone outside the owner’s premises.
Opalola clarified that dogs should be properly vaccinated, controlled, and not left unrestrained to attack pedestrians. The command stressed the importance of restraining dogs at home using cages or leashes to prevent attacks on people.
Furthermore, the police advised dog owners to ensure their pets are vaccinated to reduce the risk of rabies transmission, which can be fatal if contracted from a dog bite.
Commissioner of Police Mohammed Abba urged the public to familiarize themselves with the Dog Act to avoid violating the law and contributing to the rising incidents of dog attacks.
