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The partnership also aims to improve livestock welfare, strengthen food safety and reduce public health risks linked to zoonotic diseases.
Programme Manager Dr Bulama Yaro disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Prof. Yahuza Abubakar, chairman of the Yobe State Hisbah Commission, a Sharia law enforcement agency.
Yaro said the collaboration would provide a platform for coordinated action on animal welfare, responsible ownership, public health and community safety.
He expressed concern over the improper ownership and management of dogs, which could increase the risk of rabies and other zoonotic diseases.
According to him, responsible dog ownership requires proper confinement and supervision, routine vaccination, prompt reporting of dog bites and suspected rabies cases, as well as timely veterinary attention.
He emphasised that increased community awareness and collaboration among relevant institutions are necessary to prevent dog-mediated rabies transmission and protect public health.
The programme manager also raised concerns over the transportation, handling and marketing of food animals, noting that livestock are sometimes exposed to unnecessary stress, injuries, overcrowding and inappropriate handling before slaughter.
He said humane treatment of animals is not only an ethical obligation but also essential for sustainable livestock production, food safety and public health.
Yaro further decried the practice of slaughtering food animals at unapproved locations without appropriate veterinary inspection. He warned that illegal slaughtering could undermine meat hygiene and inspection standards, increasing the risk of unsafe meat entering the food chain and exposing consumers to preventable health risks.
The programme manager commended Governor Mai Mala Buni for establishing the Commission, describing it as an important platform for promoting social responsibility, law and order, and community values.
In his remarks, Abubakar welcomed the initiative and expressed the commission’s readiness to collaborate with YPLDP in areas within its mandate.
He said the humane treatment of animals is not only a matter of public health and responsible citizenship but also carries significant religious implications in Islam.
The chairman cited the teachings of Prophet Muhammad on compassion toward animals, including the narration of a woman who was forgiven and granted Paradise for giving water to a thirsty dog. He also referred to the warning of punishment for a woman who, according to another narration, neglected and failed to feed a cat under her care.
Abubakar said these teachings underscore the Islamic emphasis on compassion, responsible animal ownership and the prohibition of cruelty to animals.
He also acknowledged the public health risks associated with irresponsible dog ownership, particularly rabies, and called for increased community awareness and cooperation with veterinary and public health authorities.
