Lagos – Mr Saka Fafunmi, Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, has warned residents to restrain their domestic pets and animals from straying into streets.
Fafunmi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that the state government had existing law in place that prohibits animals from straying into public places.
He reiterated the dangers inherent in allowing pets such as dogs and other animals to move around freely in the metropolis.
“We have laws retraining these animals from going about in our neighbourhoods.
“Over time, we have discovered that these animals were allowed to move freely around, while their owners did nothing to check them.
“We think is in indecent in the society and our laws in this regard are disregarded.
“We will continue to tell our people that it is a bad development, especially considering the health implication.
“Most especially the waste generated by these animals; the animals defecating on the street are not good for human health.
“Such defecation can lead to a lot of infection for other animals and even human being.
“The law is still in place, but we will continue to talk to our people,’’ he said.
Fafunmi noted that the law stipulated certain punishment for owners of these animals for first offenders.
He added that such punishment included taking away the animal from its owner.
“That is why it is essential that we do not fully apply the law because when we do that it effects may be devastating, especially if it is a source of income or livelihood for the individual owners,’’ he said.
The lawmaker, however, advised that animal owners should be reminded that there is an existing law and they should make adequate provision to keep them away from straying on the streets. (NAN)