As Nigeria and other countries of the world celebrate World Rabies Day today, dog owners have been warned against not getting their dogs vaccinated against not getting their dogs and allowing those dogs to roam about the streets.
Every September 28 has been set aside to mark the death anniversary of a French chemist and microbiologist, Louis Pasteur, who developed the first rabies vaccine.
The day is celebrated to raise awareness about rabies prevention and to highlight progress in defeating the disease.
Speaking on this year’s World Rabies Day with theme:”Breaking Rabies Boundaries”, Deputy Provost (Academics), Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAH&PT) and Chairman, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), FCAH&PT, Moor Plantation, Ibadan chapter, Dr Isaac Olusegun Ayodeji, said it is quite unfortunate to have dog owners who have refused to get their dogs vaccinated against rabies and allow the dogs to roam about in the neighbourhood.
Ayodeji, noted that: “This is a very bad attitude and it shows a high level of irresponsibility on the part of dog owners because I know that the majority of them are aware of the implication of rabies disease as it is not a new thing.
“Any human who contacts rabies as a result of a bite from an infected dog, may not likely survive it. So, we should know how precious life is. Dog owners should not just because of a token amount of money refuse to take care of their dog. What about their safety, their kids as well as their neighbours who live around the dog?
“It is not a thing we should allow to happen and it is even against the law of the land. Dog owners should live up to their responsibilities that if you want to own a dog, there are a lot attached to it.
“You must take care of your dog the way you take care of your children, then you should feed your dog well and get it vaccinated as and when due. If you do not get your dog vaccinated, you are commiting a sin against humanity and you are commiting crime against the law of the land and if you are caught, there is a huge penalty for it according to the law of the land.”