The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly has rejected a motion seeking to ban the sale and consumption of dog meat in the state.
Member representing Etinan State Constituency, Uduak Ekpoufot, cited public health concerns in his motion to ban dog meat.
He argued that its consumption increased the risk of rabies, salmonella, trichinella and other dangerous pathogens.
He also raised concerns over what he described as inhumane slaughter practices within the trade.
The motion, however, fell flat as it was unable to scale the first hurdle of a seconder to back it before next steps. This gave the Speaker cause to dismiss it immediately.
Essien Nduese, media aide to Governor Umo Eno, later shared an account of the sitting on Facebook, confirming that the failure of the motion means dog meat consumption in the state remains unregulated.
