New UAE law sends cheetahs, tigers, exotic pets off cars, streets
- Anyone who takes a leopard, cheetah or any other kind of exotic animal out in public will face a jail term of up to six months
- Dog owners must obtain a licence for their pets and keep them on a leash at all times when in public
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According to a new law approved by President His Highness Shaikh Khalida Bin Zayed Al Nahyan last year. Only zoos, wildlife parks, circuses, breeding and research centres are entitled to keep wild or exotic animals. Even the public is being urged to report cases of wild animals being as pets.
Animal welfare experts have previously said how anyone with could buy even the rarest animals, and breed them as pets despite a draft law existing. Now the draft law - Law on Regulation of Ownership of Dangerous Animals has been gazetted and is to be practiced by the public officially.
As mentioned in an article in the Gulf News, now anyone who takes a leopard, cheetah or any other kind of exotic animal out in public will face a jail term of up to six months and a fine ranging between Dh10,000 and Dh500,000. There will be a jail term, or a fine ranging between Dh50,000 and Dh500,000 or both in case anyone is found trading such animals.
In case, an individual’s exotic pet attacks and causes disability to another, the owner will face a jail term of between three and seven years and if the victim is killed the owner faces life imprisonment.
Under the new law, those who use animals to terrorise people will face a jail term and/or a range of fines from Dh100,000 to Dh700,000.
All imported animals have to be registered and carry official certificates.
Here’s what dog owners need to keep in mind
Dog owners must obtain a licence for their pets and keep them on a leash at all times when in public. Failing to do so will attract a fine of Dh10,000.
A fine of up to Dh100,000 is payable if one does not vaccinate their pets. Mid-june is deadline for owners to buy the necessary licence and vaccinations.
Local authorities across the UAE will keep records of licensed dogs, including details of the pets and their owners, according to the law.
Exotic birds and reptiles are not uncommon across the UAE, they are available in a multitude of pet stores.
Here's an instagram video of this gulf citizen who shares a great fondness for exotic animals. We do not claim he is from the Emirates, all we know is he has an exotic animals collection. Images used are for representative purposes only.
