You Need License To Keep A Dog

The Nigeria Police Force has said it will be right on the part of its officers to demand Nigerians to prove ownership of their dogs with a licence.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated this while reacting to a social media post mocking a police officer trying to arrest a dog for not having a license.

Naija News reports that an X user [Harry] shared a video clip capturing a police officer arguing with a dog owner over its license.

The officer in the video had threatened to arrest the dog and take it to custody for not having a license.

Passengers from the vehicle that was being used to convey the pet could be seen in the video laughing and mocking the security personnel.

Responding, however, to the post on X, Adejobi said: “It’s not laughable that many dont know this. The policemen were right pls. Don’t even try to mock them at all. Thanks.”

In another post, the Force spokesperson wrote: “Don’t mock the police for demanding your dogs license. Read and know the law.”

“Dog laws in Nigeria include: Dog licensing. The Dog Law of the Federation and Lagos (1943) requires that all dogs be licensed within six months of ownership, and the license badge must be attached,” Adejobi cited.

Dog Law In Nigeria

Naija News understands that Nigeria indeed has a Dog Law of the Federation and Lagos that requires dog owners to license their dogs within six months of acquiring them.

Dogs are a widely favoured pet in Nigeria. Although there are no official statistics available, estimates from 2010 suggested that the dog population ranged from two to five million. More recent assessments indicate that this figure has significantly increased, now exceeding 10 million.

Despite this apparent rise, Nigeria’s number of pet dogs remains considerably lower than in many other regions globally.

Compared to countries such as the United States, dog ownership among the Nigerian population is still relatively limited.

The regulation governing dog ownership in Nigeria has been established since 1943; however, its implementation has been lacking.

The nation continues to fall short in enacting legislation that protects the rights of dogs. While the government recognizes the significance of animal rights and prohibits acts of cruelty, including the abuse of dogs, these initiatives are inadequate.

The overall condition of animal welfare in Nigeria is notably poor.

The lack of comprehensive legislation, coupled with insufficient funding for vital services such as veterinary care, leads to the neglect of animals.

A report has highlighted that, despite Nigeria’s substantial livestock population, productivity remains low due to shortcomings in these essential areas. Rabies, for example, continues to represent a serious threat to dogs within the country.

It is worth noting also that there is a bill in Nigeria called the Dogs (Welfare) Act that would establish requirements for the welfare of dogs as companion animals.

The legislation characterizes a dog as any individual belonging to the species Canis lupus familiaris, encompassing its offspring as well. Additionally, it provides definitions for various terms, including “entrance,” “veterinary officer,” “public place,” “owner,” and “handler.”

In Nigeria, animal cruelty is prohibited by law; however, critics argue that the legal framework is insufficient in addressing this issue. This inadequacy may stem from a general lack of awareness regarding the legal repercussions of animal cruelty, as well as insufficient financial support for organizations dedicated to animal welfare.