Kenyans have been put on notice over presumed dog slaughter and the sale of the meat in the country. This came barely after a video of a man skinning a dog went viral on social media.
“Your attention is drawn to a social media post on suspected dog slaughter and sale of the meat to the public. Whereas it is not possible to identify the area where this criminal activity took place, it is important to take quick and decisive action to protect consumers and meat trade in the country,” Dr Obadiah Njagi who is the director of veterinary services at the State Depart of Livestock at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock development highlighted in an official alert to county directors of veterinary services.
However, he reminded that dog is not a declared food animal in the country as per section 2 of the Meat Control Act Cap 356.
“This, therefore, makes it illegal for any person to slaughter any undeclared animal and offer the meat for sale to unsuspecting customers.
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This also constitutes fraud and in addition, consumers of such meat are exposed to zoonotic diseases arising from the consumption of uninspected meat.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), zoonotic diseases (also known as zoonoses) are caused by germs that spread between animals and people.