Teenager arrested for killing cat

ajman — A teenage boy was arrested for torturing a cat to death in Ajman’s Rashidiya area. He was later released on bail.

The incident came to light after the video showing the 17-year-old GCC national killing the cat by hitting it against a wall went viral on social media.

According to Ajman Police, this is the first time they have dealt with such an incident.

Major Ibrahim Saleh, Acting Director of Al Madina Police Station, said that the police managed to identify and find the boy after being con- tacted by a woman who gives care to animals and pets. She demanded that legal action be taken.

Major Saleh added that the boy and his father were brought to the police station, and that the boy said he killed the cat inadvertently when throwing it.

A friend of the boy later shared the images through WhatsApp and social media. The boy was released on bail after his parents undertook a written pledge that he would not commit such an act again.

Major Saleh urged parents to educate their children not to commit acts of violence against

animals and to teach them to treat animals humanely, pointing to the importance of spreading awareness on social media.

The video clip went viral on social media across the UAE, with hundreds of posts condemning the boy, with many pointing out that such act is a violation of the teachings of Islam, and calling for parents to do more to educate children about the humane treatment of animals. One woman even offered to pay Dh10,000 to anyone who could give a description of the boy or provide police with information about him.

Obaid Al Shamsi, a member of the Ajman Parents Council, said that parents should instruct their children and urge them to avoid such behaviour, and not to share such images and videos online.

amira@khaleejtimes.com