Rights activists up in arms over cruel treatment of animals

Animal rights activists have called on authorities to prosecute people cruel to animals after finding a dog covered with sores and his jaw torn away.

Government officials have said animal welfare legislation will take time to prepare, but some laws to protect pets are already in place.

Jackie Ratcliffe, of K9 Friends, a dog welfare group, found a Golden Retriever last Thursday in an upmarket Dubai area, after a tip off.

Ratcliffe said the dog, named Clooney, was one of the worst cases she and her colleagues had ever seen.

The dog had skin problems, which had caused his fur to fall out, and was aggravated by being left out in the sun.

The Golden Retriever had scratched himself so hard he tore the skin on his jaw away from his gums.

"It was neglect and ignorance," Ratcliffe said. She said Clooney's case, and that of a pit bull savaged by dog fighting, now at the Dubai Municipality clinic, showed there was a need for pet ownership to be registered and regulated, and for cruelty and neglect cases to be prosecuted.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, meanwhile, has draft animal welfare legislation, but an official, who declined to be named, said there was no set date for its completion.

A technical committee at the Ministry had prepared a draft for animal welfare legislation, Gulf News reported late last month.

The legislation forbids cruelty to animals and people can be fined for causing animals unnecessary pain or distress.

The official said people could report animal cruelty cases to the police.

He said the Federal Panel Act of 1987 and the Law of Civil Transaction of 1985 could be used in court to prosecute people who cause unnecessary pain or suffering to animals while new legislation is drafted. People found guilty can be fined up to Dh20,000 or given one year's imprisonment.

Islam protects the rights of creatures

"The protection of animals' rights found its realisation in Sharia as represented in legal textbooks. According to the Sharia, all animals have legal rights which must be enforced by the state.

"It is established in Islam that Allah loves kind treatment in all matters. Therefore, treating animals with kindness is a duty upon Muslims, while torturing them is absolutely prohibited."

"The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) passed by some people who were shooting a ram with arrows. He expressed dismay and said: ‘Do not torture animals.'"
Islam Online