The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Rivers State Chapter, has urged the Nigeria Police Force to enforce laws and regulations guiding the keeping and vaccination of dogs as part of efforts to prevent rabies in the state.

Chairman of the Association, Dr. Gloria Daminabo, made the call on when she led the newly elected executive committee on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole.

Daminabo emphasised the important role of the police as partners in rabies prevention and responsible pet ownership, particularly through the enforcement of relevant laws and regulations on dog keeping and vaccination.

She said rabies is almost 100 per cent fatal once clinical signs appear, but is also almost 100 per cent preventable through vaccination of dogs.

The NVMA chairman said the visit was timely as the Association prepares to commemorate World Rabies Day 2026, with the theme, “Stronger Together, Saving Lives.”

She outlined activities planned for the commemoration, including media advocacy, school sensitisation, a state-level symposium for key stakeholders and a community-based dog vaccination campaign.

Daminabo also identified the fight against quackery in veterinary practice as another area requiring stronger collaboration between the NVMA and the Nigeria Police Force, noting that unqualified veterinary practice could endanger animal and public health.

She highlighted the role of veterinarians beyond animal healthcare, particularly their contribution to public health and food safety through the prevention and control of zoonotic diseases such as rabies, as well as meat inspection and other activities carried out in slaughter facilities.

The NVMA chairman formally invited the Commissioner of Police to attend the World Rabies Day 2026 State-Level Symposium as a Special Guest scheduled to hold on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Rivers State University Amphitheatre, Nkpolu, Port Harcourt.

Responding, Adewole expressed delight at the visit, describing the engagement as insightful.

He said it was, to his knowledge, the first time the Police Command had formally received a delegation of veterinarians, despite existing areas of collaboration between the two professions.

The Commissioner encouraged the Association to sustain its advocacy, particularly on public health and rabies prevention, stressing the deadly nature of the disease and the importance of continued public awareness.

The visit, according to the Association, further strengthened the commitment of the NVMA Rivers State Chapter and the Nigeria Police Force, Rivers State Command, to explore areas of collaboration in promoting public safety, public health and responsible animal ownership across Rivers State.

The highlight of the visit was the presentation of a customised portrait of the Commissioner to him by the NVMA chairman in appreciation of his warm reception. The Commissioner also presented a customised plaque to the chairman.

Also present were Dr. Aduwa Yalima, Assistant Commissioner of Police; Dr. Olutoyin Adetuberu, Immediate Past National President of NVMA; Dr. Gbemisola Iyekolo, Deputy Commandant of Corps, Cross Management Department, NCDC Zone 9 Command, Port Harcourt; Dr. Ezem Fidel, Past Chairman, NVMA Rivers; Dr. Peace Mbor, Secretary General, NVMA Rivers; Dr. Chidi Brown, Financial Secretary, NVMA Rivers; Dr. Vivian Orere, Treasurer, NVMA Rivers, and other members of the Nigeria Police Force, Rivers State Command.