Animal owners face penalties for neglect

Ministry introduces nine articles in revised regulations to ensure welfare of animals

Animal owners in the UAE must abide by newly mandated animal welfare regulations set by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

Failure to properly care for animals will be punishable under the revised regulations, which come under Federal Law No 16 of 2007 on animal welfare, and its amendments in Federal Law No 18 of 2016.

To ensure the regulations are all-inclusive, the ministry held multiple workshops with government and private sector stakeholders.

Article 2 details the duties of animal owners, including not abandoning them under any circumstances. Should they not wish to keep an animal, it must be handed over to the relevant authorities.

Animal care and facilities

Owners also need to hire sufficient qualified personnel to look after their animals, and provide proper shelter, food, and specialised vet care.

They must maintain records of the animals’ genetic lineage, nutrition, health, productivity and daily routine.

Failing to provide adequate nutrition, rest and shelter; harming the animal physically or keeping it confined is punishable under the law.

Overworking draft animals, not following the rules of humane slaughter, or using animals in a way that goes against their nature, in art and entertainment performances, for pranks, or in staged animal fights, are also violations.

Owners are banned from administering growth-promoting drugs and steroids to animals, or adding illegal additives to their feed.

Article 3 prohibits the use of electroshock devices (cattle prods) and sharp tools in handling animals.

Article 4 defines health and technical standards for barns, cages, and stables, specific to the animal species, its gender, age, size, and weight. The article also stipulates that animal owners must use approved methods to dispose of carcasses.

Article 6 regulates processes of loading, transporting, and unloading of animals.