Rescuers offer Dh10,000 reward after attacks on dogs
An animal rescue group in Umm Al Quwain offered a Dh10,000 ($2,700) reward to help find the people responsible for chopping off the front paw of a dog.
Members of Stray Dogs Centre UAQ said they were horrified after finding the dog in immense pain last week.
They said the stricken animal, which they named Roman, was subjected to “another level” of abuse.
Another dog, given the name Apollo, was found near by with several cuts. The group believes the wounds were inflicted deliberately.
The dogs were discovered in an industrial area of Umm Al Quwain city after the centre received reports of an injured animal on Thursday evening.
“We were told his paw was missing,” said Amirah William, the centre’s owner.
“We sent our team and that’s when Apollo was spotted as well with lacerations to his head, face and body. We have witnessed many heinous acts of abuse in the past, but the severity of Roman’s case is on another level.”
The centre said on Facebook that it was “one of the most upsetting rescues we have ever done”.
“These abusers need to be found and these cases thoroughly investigated,” the group said.
Roman is suffering from septicaemia, a bacterial infection in his blood.
Despite the incident, which is thought to have happened early in the week, Roman is described as a “friendly and trusting boy”.
Vets will treat his septicaemia and, once his condition is stable, will fully amputate his front right leg, which was cut off below the knee in the attack.
The centre said Apollo was expected to recover from his injuries.
Ms William said people should report animal cruelty using the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment portal.
Cases will then be referred to authorities in the relevant emirate. The centre has reported the incident.
In July 2019, the ministry launched a service for residents to report animal cruelty.
The online biosecurity early notification system allows people to report incidents related to infectious animal diseases and breaches of welfare laws, including cruelty and illegal possession of dangerous animals.
The government said cases that involved the torture and abuse of animals, or actions “causing [their] exhaustion”, were punishable with a Dh1,000 fine.
But Ms William said that without witnesses or CCTV footage of incidents “finding the perpetrator is almost impossible”.
“Therefore we are offering a Dh10,000 reward sponsored by one of our supporters in the hope that it may motivate someone to speak up,” said Ms William.
The two dogs will eventually be available for adoption and Ms William said people had already come forward to offer them homes.
There have been previous cases of animal abuse in the industrial area of Umm Al Quwain city.
Last November The National reported that a team from the centre found a dog in the area with a broken spine and other injuries.
This month a cat in Abu Dhabi died after being shot with an air gun.
People can contact the centre on 050 993 8032.