By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu, GNA
Bongo (U/E), Oct. 2, GNA – Dagaabas and Frafras in and around the Bongo District, and by extension, Bolgatanga and its environs have been warned against eating dog heads that have not been licensed through vaccination.
Mr Hamidu Saddat Abdulai, the Bongo District Veterinary Officer said, “It is not advisable to eat dog head, especially if the dog is a rabid dog.”
He gave the caution in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), on the sideline of the World Rabies Day observance in the district on the theme: “Stronger Together.”
Mr Abdulai said the caution had become necessary following suspected rabies cases in the district and the increasing number of stray and unvaccinated dogs.
He said people, especially Dagaabas and Frafras who bought dogs for consumption should insist on vaccination records to minimize the risk of consuming meat from infected animals.
“My little message for them is they should try and buy vaccinated dogs with records. When we do the vaccination, we give records,” the official said.
Dog meat is a highly patronised delicacy competed for anywhere Dagaabas and Frafras are found.
The two ethnic groups are allied tribes or joking cousins whose joking spans from ancient times.
Mr Abdulai explained that although eating the head of a healthy dog was not necessarily a health concern, consuming parts of a dog suspected to have rabies could be dangerous.
“It is not advisable if the dog is a suspected rabies dog. But if it is a healthy dog without any suspected case, why not? You can enjoy it,” he said, adding that the challenge was distinguishing healthy dogs from those suspected of having rabies.
He further explained that since it was difficult to differentiate between suspected rabies dogs and healthy ones, it was advisable to buy healthy dogs with vaccination records.
The District Officer disclosed that the Veterinary Department had vaccinated more than 3,000 dogs in the district over the past year but noted that the figure remained low compared with the estimated dog population.
He attributed the low vaccination rate partly to the GH¢30 fee charged for vaccinating a dog, saying most residents were farmers who had become accustomed to free vaccination services.
“People have more dogs in the district than what we are able to even vaccinate. Telling them to come and pay a fee of GH¢30 to vaccinate a dog is a bit expensive for them,” he said.
Mr Abdulai cited the district’s proximity to Burkina Faso and the movement of dogs across the border as major challenges.
He said there were dog markets at Bongo-Soe and Bolgatanga, where people purchased dogs and indicated that some of the dogs reportedly escaped during transportation and become stray dogs, which often roamed in markets and posing risks to residence.
“We do not have a border control on the movement of dogs. Those who buy dogs and sell in the districts, we do not have any control measure for that. So, it has been a bigger challenge,” he noted.
Mr Abdulai said the department had consequently intensified public education on responsible pet ownership and urged dog owners to restrain their animals and ensure they were properly fed and vaccinated.
“Dogs are for security purposes. So, they are supposed to chain them, feed them during the day, and they can release them for the night protection,” he said.
Mr Abdulai further disclosed that the district had received 120 doses of free rabies vaccines, which were administered to dog for free, but said subsequent vaccinations would attract the GH¢30 charge.
He urged residents to take responsible ownership of their dogs and ensure that animals intended for consumption were vaccinated and accompanied by valid records.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Reporter’s email:[email protected]