Fashola Orders Arrest Of Stray Animals
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has ordered the arrest of stray animals on the streets and roads of Lagos.
As a result of the governor’s order, the Lagos State Government has inaugurated a committee on Stray Animal Control, SAC, saddled with the responsibility of arresting all stray animals found on the streets and roads of Lagos.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Gbolahan Lawal inaugurated the committee, which cuts across all Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas of Lagos in Agege.
The commissioner said the plight of stray animals was one of the most visible animal welfare issues in the world with emphasis on dogs, horses, sheep and cats.
“About 75 percent of estimated 500 million dogs in the world are stray dogs, which is compatible to the situation in Lagos.
“Equally, most spent horses from Polo clubs within the state end up as stray horses in the hand of horse boys who use them to earn a living during weekends and at festive periods at Lekki beach and other recreation spots in Lagos, only to release them during the week to roam unguarded along major roads in the state,” he stated.
Lawal said the government could no longer fallow the menace to persist, adding that owners of stray animals would be prosecuted when such animals harm individuals.
The commissioner stated that in spite of government’s awareness campaign on the danger posed by stray animals in the society, the menace is still on the increase, adding that apart from causing accident on roads, the menace could also lead to spread of diseases such as anthrax, rabies, tuberculosis and other ailments.
“In a mega city such as Lagos state, the control of stray animal could not be over emphasized due to the following reasons: safety of life of the animal itself, safety of life and property of citizens, prevention of disruption of the normal traffic flow and preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases,” he stated.
Lawal added that the culture of releasing cattle to move on hoof, especially at night along major roads in the state could no longer be tolerated.
He called on the owners of stray animals to take adequate care of their animals before they are confiscated by the government.
He charged the residents to join hands with the government to get rid of the scourge, urging the general public to alert the government on animals found roaming the streets.
Lawal stated that the governor was particularly worried about the sight of horses and cattle on the highways, such as Third Mainland Bridge, Ibeju Lekki and Opebi /Oregun Link Bridge, among others.
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has ordered the arrest of stray animals on the streets and roads of Lagos.
As a result of the governor’s order, the Lagos State Government has inaugurated a committee on Stray Animal Control, SAC, saddled with the responsibility of arresting all stray animals found on the streets and roads of Lagos.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Gbolahan Lawal inaugurated the committee, which cuts across all Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas of Lagos in Agege.
The commissioner said the plight of stray animals was one of the most visible animal welfare issues in the world with emphasis on dogs, horses, sheep and cats.
“About 75 percent of estimated 500 million dogs in the world are stray dogs, which is compatible to the situation in Lagos.
“Equally, most spent horses from Polo clubs within the state end up as stray horses in the hand of horse boys who use them to earn a living during weekends and at festive periods at Lekki beach and other recreation spots in Lagos, only to release them during the week to roam unguarded along major roads in the state,” he stated.
Lawal said the government could no longer fallow the menace to persist, adding that owners of stray animals would be prosecuted when such animals harm individuals.
The commissioner stated that in spite of government’s awareness campaign on the danger posed by stray animals in the society, the menace is still on the increase, adding that apart from causing accident on roads, the menace could also lead to spread of diseases such as anthrax, rabies, tuberculosis and other ailments.
“In a mega city such as Lagos state, the control of stray animal could not be over emphasized due to the following reasons: safety of life of the animal itself, safety of life and property of citizens, prevention of disruption of the normal traffic flow and preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases,” he stated.
Lawal added that the culture of releasing cattle to move on hoof, especially at night along major roads in the state could no longer be tolerated.
He called on the owners of stray animals to take adequate care of their animals before they are confiscated by the government.
He charged the residents to join hands with the government to get rid of the scourge, urging the general public to alert the government on animals found roaming the streets.
Lawal stated that the governor was particularly worried about the sight of horses and cattle on the highways, such as Third Mainland Bridge, Ibeju Lekki and Opebi /Oregun Link Bridge, among others.
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