Two dogs identified as German shepherds, guarding a Catholic church in the Abule Egba area of Lagos State have gone missing after biting a man, Hashiru Isah, to death outside the church premises.
The two unguarded dogs reportedly left the church premises and strayed onto the street, where they attacked Isah, who was on his way home around 11.30 pm on Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
During the attack, the dogs reportedly bit Isah on different parts of his body before he was rushed to the Orile Agege General Hospital where he died.
A deceased relative reported the incident at the Oke-Odo Police Station, from where policemen were drafted to the scene to commence an investigation.
A source told newsmen that Isah’s family members, who were pained by his death, retrieved his mauled corpse for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
“The attack happened in the night. The dogs strayed onto the streets and bit him to death. The dogs are still missing; someone took them away. The victim’s family members are Hausa; they were not interested in the police investigation and went ahead to bury his corpse,” the source said.
In his reaction to the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said efforts were ongoing to locate the dogs.
He said, “The case file is still open; we haven’t closed it. But we can’t proceed with any investigation now because the deceased’s family has declined to assist with any inquiry.
“The general overseer of the church was not around; only one caretaker was at home taking care of the dogs and he has made a statement as we await the arrival of the owner of the premises and the dogs. We are still trying to locate the dogs.”