The Animal Welfare Society of Nigeria (AWSON) has expressed concern over the impact of the current economic hardship on the welfare and wellbeing of animals in the country.

The president of the group, Prof. Mohammed Sanusi, described the condition of animals amidst the current hardship as “pathetic”.

Mr Sanusi spoke in an interview with journalists in Gombe on Friday.

He said that animals had their own rights, adding that their wellbeing should also be a priority to both government and other stakeholders.

According to him, recent observation of most animals showed that they are not getting the best of feeds, care and other good management to ensure improved welfare for their lives.

“We are seriously concerned that the general economic problem is affecting the feeding of animals.

“It is the rainy season now, but you see animals very slim and seriously emaciated.

“The animals are in poor condition, and if you go to the various abattoirs, you will see the kind of animals they slaughter.

They are not fit for slaughter because they are not in good condition as a result of poor feeding and care, knowing full well that feeding remains a key aspect of animal welfare,” he said.

Mr Sanusi, a lecturer in the Department of Animal Production, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, said there was need for stakeholders to ensure improvements on feeding management and handling of animals, when transporting them.

He further urged government at all levels to subsidise animal feeds.

He regretted that animal feeds had become very expensive, resulting in reduced and poor feeding for animals.

He charged the Animal Welfare Council, inaugurated in 2022, to start working to ensure the protection of animals’ wellbeing in the country.

“The government should also improve on legislation around animal welfare, while ensuring more advocacies that would help improve their health and wellbeing.”

The animal welfare specialist decried the ignorance among some Nigerians, regarding animal rights and wellbeing.

While citing the Animal Welfare Act which, he said, had yet to be implemented, Mr Sanusi said there were laws and fines and even imprisonment that prohibited cruelty to animals and slaughtering of weak animals.

“Most people think animals do not feel, think, or remember, but they see us, feel, and remember and bond with humans and other animals.

“So we must treat them with good and adequate care,” he said.

He commended pet owners, who are ensuring proper feeding management for their pets.

He, however, advocated an improvement on how pets are being handled, using crude equipment. 

(NAN)