In the light of increasingly recent attacks on people by dogs in Osun State, the Osun State Police Command has warned dog owners and members of the public to restrain their dogs to the confines of their houses.

In a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Yemisi Olawoyin Opalola, “those rearing or breeding dogs especially exotic ones for guard/security purposes or otherwise” should keep their dogs within the confines of their houses in cages or leashes to reduce attacks on people.

Dog owners are also advised to vaccinate their dogs to reduce the risk of “contracting Rabies virus which can be deadly if these dogs happen to bite individual(s).”

According to the statement, “the commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Umar Abba therefore advises members of the public to be abreast of the DOG ACTS cap 35 law of the Federation of Nigeria.”

“A dog keeper: somebody who is in charge of a dog is supposed to ensure that every dog to be handled is vaccinated, duly controlled, and should not be set loose to bite passersby.”

“Anything outside your yard (fence) is not your house i.e. if any dog gets loose and bites anybody outside the compound, this is an offence.”

“The CP further assures the good people of Osun State of his commitment to improve the status quo as one of the peaceful States in the country,” the statement read.