VIDEO: Reaction as Nigerian police demand dog permit, threaten arrest of owner

A dramatic encounter between a Nigerian police officer and a dog owner has gone viral, with question over the legality of pet ownership documentation.

In the video, the police officer confronted the dog owner, insisting that he produce a permit for the animal. The owner, who claimed he had only just purchased the dog, appeared confused and questioned the necessity of the permit. The officer, however, stood his ground, threatening to arrest both the man and the dog if the required documentation was not presented.

Watch the video below;

https://x.com/Nwaadaz/status/1869056211087429918?t=I-FeYsMWengSDf7XKUsWoA&s=19

The incident underline the often-overlooked aspect of pet ownership laws in Nigeria. While some states have regulations requiring permits for certain animals, awareness and enforcement of such rules remain inconsistent.

This confrontation has raised questions about how well pet owners are informed about their responsibilities and the role of law enforcement in ensuring compliance. Many observers have called for greater public awareness campaigns to clarify pet ownership requirements and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The viral nature of the video continues to draw attention to the debate, leaving Nigerians divided on whether the police officer’s actions were justified or excessive.

Some social media users supports the police officer for asking for dog permit from the owner while some claimed the police shouldn’t have asked for such.

Read some netizens’ reactions below;

@emrexreal: I keep asking if the NPF really train their personnel cus this is an eyesore

@mariamkemi8: Imagine some will still open mouth and say Kemi is degrading Nigeria. I’m ashamed on behalf of Nigerian police

@phantom; But dog actually have license. The policeman is right. You ass just laughing

@mommonny1: Because we are lawless you don’t know you needs a license to own a dog in Nigeria? It is because some of this laws are not being enforced that’s why most of us are ignorant of it. I believe it is within the rights of the police officer to demand for the dog license as required by law but I really don’t know the circumstances surrounding the demand of license so I will not be too quick to criticize the police officer.

@johnojohn: It is required by law to get a license for your dog above six months. The police man is not lying, our problem in nigeria is that we don’t know the law.

@oluwaseun: It’s okay to have permit as the policeman has demanded, just that Nigeria force can be so funny at times.

As at the time of compiling this report, the Police authority are yet to release any official statement to the incidence.