Nigeria, Dec. 3 -- The Akwa Ibom House of Assembly has rejected a motion seeking to prohibit the consumption and sale of dog meat in the state.

The motion, sponsored by Uduak Ekpoufot, the member representing Etinan State Constituency, failed during plenary on Tuesday after it received no seconder - a procedural requirement before a legislative debate.

Essien Nduese, a media aide to Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, posted the details of Tuesday's plenary on Facebook.

Mr Ekpoufot, this newspaper gathered, urged the House to consider the public health implications associated with dog meat consumption, warning that unhygienic slaughter practices expose consumers to rabies, salmonella, trichinella and other pathogens.

He also describe...