Chairman House Committee on Agriculture's Speech On a Law to regulate the ownership of animals dangerous to the public...

"A bill for  a Law to regulate  the ownership , licensing, CARE AND SALE OF PETS AND PROHIBIT OR RESTRICT PERSONS FROM HAVING custody  of  animals dangerous to the public and  WHERE PERMITTED TO LICENSE, CONTROL AND REGULATE THE CUSTODY OF SUCH ANIMALS AND FOR OTHER CONNECTED PURPOSES" 

It gives him a great pleasure to welcome you all to the Lagos State House of Assembly and to also let you know that the essence of this gathering is to conduct hearing on "A Bill for a Law to regulate the ownership, licensing, care and sale of pets, and prohibit or restrict persons from having custody of animals dangerous to the public and where permitted, to license, control and regulate the custody of such animals and for other connected purposes."

It is imperative to inform you that as part of the legislative process, parliamentary hearing have always been the main tools for ensuring public participation on a proposed legislation. It's the formal Committee action on a bill, which provides a forum at which Committee members and the public can hear about the strength and weakness of a proposal.

The bill under consideration today has 37 Sections, seeking to establish a licensing and investigating unit in every Local Government and Local Community Development Area in the State, for the issuance of licenses and ensuring the welfare and well being of animals. The bill if eventually passed into Law will repeal the Dogs Law Cap D4 Laws of Lagos State 2015.

However, one of the main purpose of the bill is for the people to be responsible for their actions because animals has right too.

I therefore urge the participants to contribute meaningfully to the proposed legislation with the assurance that every suggestions, opinions and contributions made would be considered based on their merits and will form the bedrock of passing the bill into Law that will stand for the test of time.

Thank you all and God bless.

Hon Kehinde Joseph

(Chairman, Committee on Agriculture).