Why do people make their dogs to become stray dogs?

Abuja city is not really where you find stray dogs easily because people in this area, in my opinion, get dogs for specific purposes such as pet, guard, companion etc. The city also has accessible veterinary clinics where unwanted dogs might be disposed of easily. Going away from the city center still in the federal capital of Nigeria, you start to see these stray dogs increasing in number.

Stray dogs are usually found hovering around market butches apparently to get some leftover meat. One thing is common among the stray dogs; they are usually the local dog breed. People tend to care less about these dogs. Most Nigerians will rather feed and care for the exotic breeds better than the local breeds. I have seen local breeds that have never seen a veterinary doctor or veterinary personnel in their lives for many years. Never been dewormed, vaccinated or even given a bath and yet they live with the owner and stray anytime they desire or even force their way out of the house.

Some people are of the opinion that local dogs are naturally stray dogs whether you treat them like “kings” or “slaves”. I try to come to terms with that believe which seem to be true evidently. I have also tried to question people with these dogs and I found out that most people simply treat them as unimportant in terms of care.

I am yet to see a stray Rottweiler or Caucasian for instance, to name the most popular breeds of dogs in Nigeria but it’s easy to find up to five stray local breeds in one day.

In the same vain I have seen people walk their exotic dogs on the road, carry them in their cars, take them to parks and places of excitement but yet to see someone with a local breed of dog doing the same except maybe foreigners.

I guess this should point to the distrust the dog has to the owner that will make the dog feel like going out to find better friends whether other dogs or other humans. I have seen a stray dog that goes to a particular house because those people always feed him each time he visits and subsequently decide to live with the “caring people” and practically forget the original owners.

Let me also talk about male dogs running out of the house in search of a female dog on heat or a female on heat in search of a male to mate. This is common with all dogs but I notice that the local dogs tend to run out and stay longer or decide never to come back. What will be the explanation to the “never coming back”? Let me leave that question to you.

In conclusion, I will like to advice that owners of dogs should care more for their dogs because it will encourage the dogs to remain with them. Feeding is not all the dog wants from you. He wants to spend some time with you. Play with the dog, pat the dog, feed the dog with various good foods –not left over bones with no value. Avoid locking up the dog for too long because in a bid to get more exercise the dog might stray.