Stray dogs are the cutest pitiable creature you will ever come across, they are just right there feeling helpless, hungry, and homeless. When you come across them, you wonder if to take them home or leave them for someone else to cater. Whatever your choice, leaving a stray dog on the streets will hunt your conscience for a long time.
In southern Nigerian, especially in Akwa-Ibom state, stray dogs are killed and eaten immediately assumed as meat. The Akwa-Ibom tribes are good people, notorious for their rich culture and love of dog meat popularly called 404.
Dog meat is a pricy delicacy among the Ibom people reserved for special guests and the rich. During religious celebrations, the people kill and eat dogs to mark Easter, Christmas, New Year, etc.
In Nigeria, most states in the south eat dog meat. Some parts of Abia, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Cross River and Rivers state.
Asides Nigeria, there are other countries that enjoy the 404 delicacy, countries like; China, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan and more.
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When dogs are killed, they can be made as pepper soup taken with chilled palm wine, a popular delicacy among Nigerians or with other soups accompanied by Garri.
I got in contact with someone from Akwa Ibom, he explained to me that dog meat is the same, if Fishes, cows, goats, and sheep serve as meat, why not dogs? When asked about the emotional entanglements humans share with dogs, he refers to it as unfounded.
The origin of eating dog meat in these parts of the country is unknown, however, acknowledging that culture has its influence, wherefore they were born and raised to see dog meat as a delicacy and they heartily embrace it is pertinent.
In these parts, stray dogs are celebrated like manna from heaven; the predator is excited and eager to make a delicacy from his found fortune having no pity for the dog or its owners.
It is worthy to note that raring dogs are very common in southern Nigeria for the purpose of making money from them or turning them to meat. Its economic importance contributes to a high percentage of animal rearing for food purposes.
This topic has raised controversy: should dogs be seen as pets or as meat worse still, innocent strays dogs? It remains an open controversy even in India fueled by Maneka Gandhi.
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