Abu Dhabi: Municipal authorities on Tuesday called upon residents not to slaughter animals outside the designated facilities in order to maintain public hygiene and health.
In a statement, the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City reiterated that slaughtering animals in undesignated spaces is considered an offence, and that violators will be fined Dh500.
Instead, they urged the use of the advanced, hygienic services provided by the municipal abattoirs. Butchers practising outside designated facilities do not have access to vets to test the animals’ health, and this can pose a threat to public health, the statement added.
More than 75,000 animals have been processed by municipal slaughterhouses in Abu Dhabi this Ramadan. This marks a 15.5 per cent increase from the number of animals processed during the holy month last year (2015), and authorities expect the greater demand to continue during the Eid holidays.
Three of the facilities — the Abu Dhabi Public Slaughterhouse, Baniyas Slaughterhouse and Al Wathba Slaughterhouse — have also been readied for the expected increase in demand during the upcoming Eid holidays.
Operating times have also been changed. The Abu Dhabi Public Slaughterhouse, as well as the slaughterhouses in Al Shahama and Al Baniyas, will operate from 6am to 7pm on weekdays, and up to 9pm on Thursday and Friday. Meanwhile, Al Wathba Modern Slaughterhouse will start operations at 8am and close at 4pm on Eid days.
Processing fees are set at Dh15 for each goat or sheep, Dh40 each for calves and young camels, and Dh60 each for cows and camels. These rates include the slaughtering and chopping services.
