Dead dog floors 68 Namibian villagers

Sick canine carcass off the menu

By Lester Haines • Get more from this author

Posted in Biology, 24th October 2007 15:15 GMT

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Sixty-eight people from two Namibian villages ended up in hospital after "eating a dog that had died of disease", The Namibian reports.

Said mutt from Oikokola in the Omusati region was killed by its owner last Saturday after falling ill, and he duly ordered the carcass to be incinerated. However, the good burghers of Oikokola insisted on tucking in, and shared the meat with villagers from neighbouring Onepandaulo.

The result was 55 Oikokola residents and 13 fellow sufferers from Onepandaulo rapidly needing medical treatment. Some were tended at the local medical centre, while more serious cases required hospitalisation.

Happily, local councillor Bernadinus Shekutamba Shikongo said "many of the people have since recovered", while the director of health of the Oshana Region, Dr Naftali Hamata, duly warned against "eating dog meat and the carcass of any sick animal".

AP notes that dog meat is considered a delicacy in Northern Namibia, and people continue to enjoy its delights, despite animal rights campaigners' objections. ®

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