The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has declined a motion seeking to ban the sale and consumption of dog meat in the state.
The proposal, sponsored by Uduak Ekpoufot of the Etinan State Constituency, was dismissed on Tuesday after it failed to receive a seconder, a requirement for it to advance to debate.
Ekpoufot argued that poor slaughter practices pose public health risks, including exposure to rabies, salmonella, and other infections.
He also raised concerns about the welfare of the animals. Despite his points, lawmakers chose not to take up the motion, leaving the dog-meat trade and consumption unchanged.
The rejection has triggered mixed reactions online. Some residents dismissed the motion as misplaced legislative focus, while others celebrated the outcome as a protection of cultural food traditions.
Dog meat consumption remains common in parts of Nigeria, where many believe it carries medicinal benefits. Experts caution that enforcement of a ban would be challenging without accessible alternative protein sources.
Worldwide, several countries, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Taiwan, and South Korea, have banned or restricted the practice, though debates over culture, health, and animal welfare persist.
