Man in dock for giving race camel electric jolts

Dubai: A Saudi national is facing trial for administering electric shocks to a camel to goad it to win a race, Gulf News has learnt.

The suspect has been referred to the Dubai Misdemeanours Court for allegedly using robot jockeys equipped with prods that could deliver jolts of electricity to make the camel run faster, a senior prosecution source told Gulf News on Tuesday.

"The suspect's act is punishable by law. He has been charged with torturing the camel, causing it extreme fatigue and endangering its life. Law enforcement officers' investigations revealed that the suspect used a robot jockey modified to deliver electric shocks and force the camel to run faster during the race," said the source.

Sources told Gulf News that police referred the suspect to the Public Prosecution where he was charged with mistreating the camel and torturing it. He appeared in court recently and pleaded not guilty.

According to article 432 of the Federal Penal Law, a suspect, who tortures, mistreats or pushes tamed animals to extreme fatigue could face a maximum fine of Dh1,000.

Robot jockeys

This is believed to be the first case wherein someone has been charged for torturing a camel to run faster in a race. In January, Dubai Police had arrested three Asian suspects accused of manufacturing and selling the robot jockeys equipped with prods to deliver electric shocks.