The Lagos State Government has warned that it would prosecute owners of domestic animals and pets that strayed within the Lagos metropolis.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Toyin Suarau, gave the warning in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

According to the statement by Mr Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Agriculture, the commissioner has met with owners of animals at Oko-Oba, Agege, to seek their cooperation.

The statement quoted the commissioner as saying that owners of straying animals should keep them rather than losing them to cause accidents on the roads.

“Apart from causing accidents on our roads, these stray animals could also spread contagious diseases such as anthrax, rabies, tuberculosis and other ailments that could lead to death.”

The statement said the government would send ‘Agric-Marshals’ to all council areas of the state to implement its stray animal control policy.

“The government is concerned and would no longer tolerate the habit of releasing herds of cattle at night along major roads and highways in the metropolis.”

It urged residents to cooperate with the authorities to rid the state of stray animals, while owners of such animals should take adequate care of them to avoid confiscation.

The statement advised residents to call any of the following dedicated lines for immediate response for stray animals -- 08077775657, 08057761762, 07033348402 and 08023934920.

“Together we can make Lagos a safe place if we all say no to stray animals on our roads.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Ambode.