BD100,000 Fine Urged for Animal Cruelty

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Animal abusers should face fines of up to BD100,000 and as much as five years in jail for the worst cases of torture, severe cruelty and deliberate killing, according to the head of Bahrain’s main animal welfare society, who has urged MPs to toughen the law.

Mahmood Faraj, chairman of the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, called on Parliament to raise the penalties after the society filed more than 1,000 reports involving abuse, neglect and poor treatment.

His proposal would mark a steep rise from penalties now written into Bahraini law. Under Law No. 52 of 2014, animal-welfare offences covered by the law can carry up to one month in jail and a fine of up to BD1,000, or either punishment.

The Penal Code also deals specifically with cruelty. Torturing, exhausting or mistreating a tame or domesticated animal, or failing to care for it, can carry up to three months in jail or a fine of up to BD20. Deliberately killing or poisoning a domesticated animal without justification, or causing it serious harm, can carry up to one year in jail or a fine of up to BD100.

Mr Faraj said some of the cases reported to the society involved acts so cruel that the punishment does not match the offence.

‘Some people act as though abusing an animal carries no serious legal penalty,’ he said.

He said heavier fines and prison terms would help deter cruelty and stop repeat abuse.

‘The aim is to protect animals, stop these acts from happening again and make clear that cruelty has no place in society and should carry serious punishment under the law,’ Mr Faraj told The Daily Tribune.

According to reports filed by the society, cases included stray animals being tortured or killed, dogfighting, cockfighting and gambling linked to such fights.

Other reports concerned a pet cat being burned, a foal being killed and several horses being abused at a farm in Karzakkan. The society has also received complaints involving the mistreatment of a donkey, cats and dogs.

Mr Faraj said the society is ready to give Parliament its views and share its experience on changes to animal welfare laws.

He said the society documents suspected cruelty, gathers evidence and refers complaints to bodies with the power to take legal action.