00:00Dogs, all dressed up in costumes and designer outfits, paraded down a walkway on Saturday as the annual Lagos Dog Carnival returned for its seventh edition.
00:11Hundreds of dogs, ranging from local breeds to imported bulldogs, huskies and poodles, walk the red carpet while owners show off their pets and meet like-minded people.
00:23Most Nigerians do not appreciate dogs. They claim to think that dogs are strictly for security purposes.
00:30But I feel that they should be celebrated because they are more than being security purpose, you know, materials.
00:37They can be loved and they can love as well. They are very good companions and they are very kind at heart.
00:44You know, the most unconditional of us that I've ever met are dogs.
00:48For some dog lovers, the carnival is an opportunity for their four-legged friends to strut their stuff.
00:57I always feel excited dressing Coco up. It's always a challenge looking for the best outfit for my baby girl.
01:07Her mother is a fashionista and so she has to always dress her best because she's also my little fashionista.
01:14The theme of this year's carnival was furry kings and queens and Coco earned her crown.
01:20I feel very happy that Coco won something at the dog carnival. Princess Royal, at least our outfits made her stand out and she did a good walk on the runway.
01:31It's important we bring our dogs to carnivals like this because of socialization.
01:37Pet socialization is key to having a good and responsible pet at home.
01:42If you take a dog or a cat and just lock it up in the house, you get an aggressive dog, you get an aggressive cat, an isolated dog that doesn't know what it means to be social.
01:54So imitating the culture that is perceived Western and also now inhabiting it in Nigeria is bringing out dogs, wearing leashes, wearing beautiful clothes.
02:06It's becoming normal to be seen, you know, on the streets of Lagos.
02:09Participation in the carnival was slightly down this year, but dog ownership across Nigeria is picking up.
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