Manama: A Cat that was rescued from an unscrupulous trader at the notorious Isa Town Market after being dyed pink and put on display should make a full recovery.
The four-month-old feline, now known affectionately as Pinky, was brought to the attention of the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) by 17-year-old Bahraini shopper Bilal Aslam, who shared pictures of the sickly looking animal online in disgust at its
treatment.
“It looked like they had used wall paint,” he told the GDN.
“There was a pungent smell about it and it looked like it was slowly falling sick.
“There was no food given to the cats and they only had a little water to survive the heat.”
Pinky’s plight caused outrage among animal lovers online and
following a visit by BSPCA chairman Mahmood Faraj, the cat was confiscated and taken to the charity’s shelter at Askar to be rehabilitated.
“She has been given a thorough veterinary examination, but our vet has some concerns over a possible allergic reaction to the dye that was used,” a BSPCA executive committee spokeswoman told the GDN.
“Our next task was a thorough wash to remove the dye.
“Unfortunately it will take a few more washes before she is back to her normal colour.
“Pinky is now in the recovery room and, as is our normal procedure, she will spend some time in quarantine while we make sure she is not suffering from any contagious ailments.
“Then she will be put up for
adoption.”
The spokeswoman added that an urgent meeting had been called between Mr Faraj and the managing company of Isa Town Market on Sunday to alert traders about the proper treatment of animals and the provisions of Bahrain’s new Animal Welfare Law, which came into effect last year.
“Mr Faraj explained the law to the stallholder and warned him not to do such a thing again,” she said.
“He also met with the managing company of the market to discuss the animals being sold there and the conditions they are kept in and stressed the need for all animals to be provided with adequate food, water and shade.
“He further added that any stallholders not adhering to these conditions would be reported to the police for abuse.”
Isa Town Market has repeatedly hit the headlines in recent years, with animal lovers slamming it as “a disgrace” and calling for its closure.
A GDN investigation last year revealed that pit bulls and other breeds of dog used for dog fighting or as bait were being sold openly at the market in the early morning.
At the time, Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry animal wealth director Dr Salman Abdulnabi Al Ebrahim vowed to investigate, however some activists claim that the authorities continue to “turn a blind eye” to animal abuse at markets.
shahlaa@gdn.com.bh
&uuid=(email))