Lagos NVMA Seeks Stronger Animal Welfare Laws to Empower Enforcement Agencies

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Lagos State Branch, has called for stronger animal welfare laws and tougher enforcement measures to enable relevant agencies prosecute offenders,

The body gave the warning as a result of the growing cases of animal abuse and rabies pose serious risks to public health.

This is as the body warned that rabies is not just a veterinary problem but a public health emergency, that demands all stakeholders working together to eliminate rabies from communities.

Speaking at a fitness walk to raise awareness on rabies and animal right in Ikorodu,
Chairman, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Lagos State Branch, Dr. Ofua Mark,said that rabies should be a public health issue that demands urgent attention.

“The NVMA Lagos State Branch stands firmly against illegal dog markets, ritual abuse, abandonment, and the horrific consumption of diseased or stolen animals.

“We urge the Lagos State House of Assembly to strengthen animal welfare legislation, empower enforcement agencies to prosecute offenders, and partner with veterinarians and animal welfare organisations to build a humane, compassionate Lagos.

“Animal rights and public health are not competing interests—they are two sides of the same coin. A society that protects its animals protects its people. Let us raise our voices, change our laws, and transform our attitudes, for the sake of every creature that shares our city and for the soul of our society.”

He however, stressed that rabies is not merely a disease,but a ruthless killer that stalks streets, homes, and children, claiming lives with a fatality rate of nearly 100 percent once symptoms appear, yet remaining almost entirely preventable.

This he warned is a menace that is real and demands urgent action as “unvaccinated dogs roaming our communities, inadequate awareness among pet owners, and the tragic reality that many victims of dog bites never seek timely post-exposure prophylaxis until it is too late.

“As veterinarians and animal enthusiasts, we declare that this status quo is unacceptable. The solution is clear and multi-pronged: mass vaccination of dogs, strict enforcement of animal control regulations, affordable and accessible human vaccines, and a relentless public enlightenment campaign.

“We thank the Lagos State Government for its efforts to strengthen its rabies control programme, on pet owners to vaccinate and register their animals, and on every resident to report suspected rabid animals and seek immediate medical attention after any bite. Rabies is not just a veterinary problem—it is a public health emergency, and together, we can eliminate rabies from our communities.”

On animal rights, he maintained that animal rights are not a luxury or a western import, stressing they are a fundamental expression of humanity and shared responsibility as stewards of creation.

“Every dog, cat, and livestock animal in Lagos deserves freedom from cruelty, neglect, and suffering; the right to proper shelter, nutrition, and veterinary care; and the dignity of being treated as sentient beings, not mere property or disposable commodities,” he said.

On his part, Assistant Commissioner of Police within the Force Animal Branch/Veterinary department, Lagos Command, Bulus Musa, praised the collaboration and the turnout of participants as more awareness about rabies is growing.

“So because of this zoonotic importance, there is a need for collaboration between all the professionals that deal with health, especially the health, the human and the animals and the environmentalists.”

For Consultant Epidemiologist and Lagos State Veterinary Epidemiologist , Dr. Ogunleye Adedoyin, the state is ready to combat any outbreaks through surveillance should there be any emergency case in the state.

“Lagos State has supported the programme by providing free vaccines to cover the animals that are here today,’ she said.

However, the Ikorodu Dog Breeders and Lovers Association President, Chukwuka Uzoma, noted, “It is lucrative in the sense that when you are breeding the right dogs”, while stressing the need for more vaccination of dogs across the state.