The Oyo government has vowed to take legal action against FinRel Pharmacy, a veterinary store in the state capital, Ibadan, for breaking a seal-off order shortly after it was shut down for operating in defiance of veterinary laws. 

On Monday, the Oyo government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, sealed FinRel Pharmacy at Asolo in the Olorunsogo area of Ibadan after claims that the store treated animals, especially dogs, in a densely populated area with the potential for human beings to contract the viral disease – “zoonotic.”

Zoonotic disease or zoonosis is an infectious disease transmitted between species from animals to humans. Harmful germs like viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi cause it.

“The present government in the state would not allow any person or group of persons’ selfish interest and unprofessional acts to put the health of the general public at risk”, the state government said in a statement jointly signed by Dotun Oyelade, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation and Olasunkanmi Olaleye, the Commissioner for Agriculture, on Sunday. 

The statement explained that the government’s legal action was part of its effort to curtail any outbreak of animal-to-human disease. 

The government revealed that it received information that Benjamin Ayorinde, with VC RG No 10257, a vet doctor at the pharmacy store, was responsible for treating dogs at a barbecue spot, an act considered a public health safety risk. 

Responding to public outcry, the government visited the pharmacy to conduct preliminary findings, revealing that FinRel Pharmacy was not registered as a veterinary store. 

It noted that officers from the ministry sent on verification were denied access to the pharmacy vaccine storage. 

“The FinRel Pharmacy manager, named Pharmacist Rachel, confirmed that they sell, treat and administer vaccines on animals at the pharmacy. 

“The officers were equally denied access to the pharmacy veterinary log book that is expected to contain all the veterinary activities of the pharmacy,” the statement said. 

The government said the Oyo State Committee on Regulations of Veterinary Premises and Veterinary Establishment had invited the veterinary doctor for an investigation on August 16.

According to the statement, during the investigation, the vet doctor, Mr Ayorinde, agreed that he was still employed by FinRel Pharmacy and that “he was the same person in the said viral video treating dog at FinRel barbecue spot, which is a public health risk to the people of the state. 

“The said Dr Ayorinde, however, apologised for his unethical and unprofessional conduct, saying it was at the directive of his employer,” it said. 

The Oyo government urged the state’s people and law-abiding citizens to support its effort to protect their lives and properties.