Dog and Cat Meat and Fur Trades Nigeria
The dog and cat meat trade in NIGERIA (Africa):
Dog meat consumption is common in Nigeria, including in the states of Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Cross River, Plateau, Kalaba, Taraba, Gombe, and Lagos. It is believed by some people to have medicinal powers, but veterinarians say there is no proof dog meat has medicinal qualities and it can actually be dangerous because of bacterial and other viral diseases and infections. (Obinna, 2016, Controversy over dog meat) Dog meat consumption has increased in southern and eastern Nigeria due to its popularity, with at least one major dog meat market in that region. Each state within Nigeria has dog meat markets. (Eze, 2020, Economic and feasibility comparison of the dRIT and DFA for decentralized rabies diagnosis in resource-limited settings: The use of Nigerian dog meat markets as a case study) Nigerians who eat dog meat believe the meat cures their illnesses and wards off fatal diseases. They also believe that dog meat gives them supernatural powers and protects them from witches and wizards. Dog meat restaurants are extremely popular in Calabar, Nigeria. Live dogs are also traded at the Danwaki dog meat market in Calabar. (Kenya Tribune, 2019, Why eating dog meat will land you in jail: The Standard) Dogs are not farmed in Nigeria, they are acquired between private citizens, often across state borders. The dogs endure cruel treatment, and are usually kept in cramped cages for several days before being slaughtered. Dogs suffer torture from suffocation. (Garba, 2013, Evaluation of dog slaughter and consumption practices related to the control of rabies in Nigeria) Cat meat is also extremely popular in Nigeria. (Ackwerh, 2018, Notorious cat meat samosa vendor in Kenya busted after 1100th kill)
A male dog is sacrificed each year at the Ogun Festival in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. The dog is taken out of a cage, and one man pulls on the dog’s neck with a noose, while another man pulls on the dog’s hind legs. A high priest cuts off the dog’s head. The dog’s blood is poured over tools in a bowl. The practice is legal in Nigeria. (Sotunde, 2015, Ogun: Sacrifice to the iron god) The slaughtered dogs are also eaten at the Ogun festival. (Obinna, 2016, Controversy over dog meat)
Nigeria is considered a high-risk area for rabies from dogs. (CDC, 2021, High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies) The slaughter and consumption of dogs is not only detrimental to dogs, but compromises the control of rabies. Nigeria has an epidemic of canine rabies, but many cases are not reported. Rabies is prevalent in dogs slaughtered for their meat in meat markets, which poses a major health hazard because of the transmission of rabies to humans. Dogs destined for human consumption are taken across the borders between states in Nigeria, increasing the spread of rabies. Rabies virus isolates from dogs in the meat trade in China were found in Nigeria. Rabies virus isolates from dogs in the meat trade in Cameroon were found in Nigeria and Burkina Faso in Africa. (Garba, 2013, Evaluation of dog slaughter and consumption practices related to the control of rabies in Nigeria)
Not everyone in Nigeria agrees that dogs should be used for meat. Dr. Muoma Alagboso, a Nigerian veterinarian, expressed the opinion that people in Nigeria “see dogs as other animals – this is improper – it is unethical for me to affirm that dogs are consumable meat.” Dr. Alagboso said that “dogs are our friends.” Dr. Alagboso said “from a medical perspective, people who eat dogs are ignorant.” People in Nigeria don’t know how to care for animals, and veterinary care is “very poor.” (Obinna, 2016, Controversy over dog meat)
Nigeria prohibits the ill treatment, torture, poisoning, and other inhumane treatment of animals under its Cruelty to Animals law (Criminal Code Act, Chapter 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, Sections 495-499, Part 7, Chapter 50, Cruelty to Animals, 2021). In a Wake Up Nigeria interview, Nigerian animal activist Jackie Idimogu stated that the Cruelty to Animals law in Nigeria is not being enforced and is basically “dormant,” and people in Nigeria don’t care about animals so they treat them like “inanimate things.” Ms. Idimogu is asking the Nigerian Government to reform and enforce animal cruelty laws. (Wake up Nigeria, 2019, Putting a Stop to Animal Cruelty)