Life term for using dangerous animals in attacks

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Using a dangerous animal to attack someone could lead to life imprisonment under a draft law Parliament is set to debate on Tuesday. The legislation would also ban private ownership and introduce strict controls on how such animals are kept, traded and transported.

The bill, attached to Decree No. 15 of 2025, aims to regulate the keeping, sale, import, export and breeding of dangerous animals, while imposing penalties for possession without a licence from the relevant authorities.

Dangerous animals are defined as those capable of harming people or other animals, including predatory species and “semi-dangerous” animals that may become aggressive despite not being naturally dangerous.

Under the proposal, individuals and companies would be barred from keeping or breeding such animals. Only licensed institutions, including zoos, animal parks, circuses and research centres, would be permitted to handle them. These establishments would require ministry approval, register their animals and keep them in secure enclosures under conditions set by ministerial regulations.

Licensed facilities would also have to provide proper food, shelter and veterinary care, prevent escapes and obtain approval before transferring animals or holding public displays.

The draft also obliges the public to report stray or illegally kept dangerous animals. Authorities would have the power to seize such animals, shelter them and recover related costs from the responsible person.

Parliament’s Public Utilities and Environment Committee has recommended approval of the bill.