Dubai: Animal activists are claiming that a serial cat killer is on the loose in Dubai after four strays were poisoned to death on the same stretch in Jumeirah 3 on Monday morning.
Animal lover Fawaz Kannan, who made the grisly discovery, said at least 10 cats have been similarly killed in the neighbourhood in recent weeks.
“We suspect it’s the handiwork of just one psychopath. Sometime back a friend spotted a middle-aged man with silver hair powdering the food kept for strays. I reported him to the authorities but nothing happened,” said the Syrian.
A local vet who treated a cat that survived believes the feline could have been poisoned by highly toxic chemicals like organophosphate (OP), strychnine or carbamate.
The incident has caused shock waves among animal lovers and pet owners.
“I am appalled that someone can do this to animals. It’s sickening,” said a terrified pet owner.
“What’s wrong with people? The person behind this should be immediately brought to book,” said animal activist Nina Stone.
Animal welfare groups in the UAE have been urging the public to report instances of pet abuse to authorities.
The UAE’s Federal Law No. 16 of 2007 on Animal Welfare clearly states that animal is punishable by law. Penalties includes imprisonment with a maximum of a one-year sentence and a fine of up to Dh20,000.
Meanwhile, a video of an Arab teenager throwing a cat against a wall has sparked outrage.
The incident reportedly took place in Ajman last month and is now being investigated by police.
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