Dubai: The municipality has warned the public to abide by all health and safety rules while preparing for Eid Al Adha and to avoid using unlicensed butchers when slaughtering cattle.

The Abattoir Section at Dubai Municipality has stressed the need for residents to get the necessary approval of authorised slaughterhouses prior to slaughter, and to ensure cattle have been properly inspected to ensure their safety and protect their health.

“Residents should be aware of how to safely carry out procedures, and to buy the animals from licensed shops as they will already have veterinary doctors available on site,” said Ali Taher Al Hammadi, Head of Abattoir Operations.

Slaughter time starts after Eid prayer and extends to the last days of Al Tashreeq, leading to a total of four days.

“So there is no need to rush to slaughter in the first day of Eid,” Al Hammadi said.

The abattoir service charges will remain the same as previous years, according to Ahmad Hassan Al Shammari, Head of the Abattoirs Section.

It costs Dh15 to check and slaughter a small animal (sheep or goat), Dh30 for a calf, Dh40 to Dh45 for a cow, Dh60 to Dh65 for a camel. The price includes vet inspections, skinning and cutting the meat into four parts.

Al Shammari also pointed out that residents should avoid employing door-to-door butchers whose tools may pose health problems to consumers.