Akwa Ibom Lawmaker Explains Failed Bill Against Dog Meat Consumption

Following widespread criticisms that trailed his controversial Bill seeking to ban dog meat consumption in Akwa Ibom State, the member representing Etinan State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon. Uduakobong Ekpo-Ufot, said he was misunderstood by his colleagues who shot down the Bill.

Speaking at the just-concluded Etinan Day celebration during Ibom Christmas Unplugged 3.0, Hon. Ekpo-Ufot, explained that his motion had sought instead to stop the brutal and indecent methods used in the slaughter of dogs for consumption.

“Some sections of the media erroneously reported that I moved a motion to ban dog meat. That is not true. My motion specifically addresses the cruel and inhumane ways dogs are killed, which raises serious animal welfare and public health concerns,” he said.

The motion, titled: “Motion to Discontinue the Consumption of Dog Meat, Based on the Methods of Slaughter,” was brought pursuant to Order IV, Rule I of the Standing Orders of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (7th edition).

It highlighted the methods commonly used in Nigeria, including strangulation, blunt force trauma, and suffocation, which animal welfare advocates argue cause significant pain and suffering to the animals.

Ekpo-Ufot also noted that improper slaughter methods carry public health risks, including the transmission of zoonotic diseases such as rabies, Toxocara, trichinella-like parasites, Leptospira, Salmonella, and Campylobacter.

His motion further referenced international examples, noting that countries like South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and parts of Australia have banned the consumption of dog meat due to welfare and health concerns.

The legislator emphasised that his motion does not oppose the consumption of dog meat altogether, but called for introduction of modern and humane slaughter methods, such as stunning, and urged the Executive Arm of Government to consider regulations to ensure public safety.

“This motion is about improving standards and protecting public health, while ensuring the welfare of animals. It is not about prohibiting the consumption of dog meat,” he added.

The clarification from Ekpo-Ufot comes as debate continued over animal welfare and the ethics of dog meat consumption in Nigeria, with increasing public awareness of humane treatment and food safety standards.