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)
The dog and cat meat trade in KENYA (Africa):
It is illegal to slaughter and eat dogs in Kenya in East Africa, according to the Meat Control Act, and it is illegal to slaughter animals in a cruel manner according to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. (Kenya Tribune, 2019, Why eating dog meat will land you in jail: The Standard)
Many Kenyans are disgusted by dog meat consumption and are against legalizing it. (Kenya Tribune, 2019, Why eating dog meat will land you in jail: The Standard)
Although eating dog meat is illegal in Kenya, some people still believe it is acceptable. For example, the Governor of Nairobi, Kenya, plans to open a dog meat market to eliminate around 50,000 strays in Nairobi. He said the market “will bring together dog eating nationalities in the country.” Animal protection groups are against the plan and want to vaccinate and sterilize (spay/neuter) the stray dogs. (Ambani, 2019, Sonko finds ‘delicious’ solution to stray dogs nuisance in Nairobi)
Kenya is considered a high-risk area for rabies from dogs. (CDC, 2021, High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies)
Cats are also consumed in Kenya. In 2018, a Kenyan man was sentenced to 3 years in prison for killing around 1,100 cats for human consumption in violation of the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act, and for “slaughtering an animal at an undesignated place contrary to the meat control regulations.” Killing the cats was also against the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 2012, which prohibits people from being cruel to animals, to include starving, abandoning, or killing animals in a cruel manner. The man killed the cats to make pastries (samosas) containing cat meat for people in Nakuru, Kenya, which is 90km (around 56 miles) from Nairobi, Kenya. The man was caught skinning cats and had already beheaded a cat. He said he had been killing cats and selling their meat to people in Nakuru for close to 8 years and there were so many clients that he could not keep up with the demand for cat meat. (Ackwerh, 2018, Notorious cat meat samosa vendor in Kenya busted after 1100th kill)
The dog and cat meat trade in CAMEROON (Africa):
The illegal trade in dogs for their meat is common between Cameroon and Nigeria, which share a common border. (Garba, 2013, Evaluation of dog slaughter and consumption practices related to the control of rabies in Nigeria)
The community of Vame is one of many communities in Cameroon that eat dog meat. (Dawkins, 2018, 5 dog-eating African communities where you are welcome with the delicacy) Villagers in Bafut Village in Cameroon have been eating dogs for years, and kill and consume over 10 dogs a week, mostly strays. (OIPA, 2016, OIPA Cameroon Experienced A Sad Day During Its Vaccination Campaign in the Bafut Village)
Cat meat is relished in Cameroon. Cat meat is usually eaten during the Christmas holiday and during ceremonies in Batibo in Cameroon that occur from March to June each year. Cats are eaten during these ceremonies for good luck. (Ackwerh, 2018, Notorious cat meat samosa vendor in Kenya busted after 1100thkill)
Cameroon does not have any animal welfare laws to protect domestic and farmed animals. “In most African countries and Cameroon in particular, hunting (of wild animals) and animal mistreatment occur every thirty minutes, which is a call for concern.” Farmed and domestic animals suffer from a high rate of neglect. OIPA Cameroon is working to raise awareness about the treatment of animals and educate the people of Cameroon about how to “protect, respect and ensure the welfare of animals in the country.” (OIPA, 2016, Testimony from Cameroon: Bamenda, Cameroon Our Volunteers Visited a Primary School in Njibi in the Bafut Sub Division)
Cameroon is considered a high-risk area for rabies from dogs. (CDC, 2021, High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies) 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)
OIPA, the International Organization for Animal Protection, is asking the Government of Cameroon to ban dog meat in Cameroon. (OIPA, 2016, OIPA Cameroon Experienced A Sad Day During Its Vaccination Campaign in the Bafut Village)
Please see the bibliography page for the citations given on this page.