The horse at the centre of a stabbing incident is recovering from the injury it suffered, the relieved owner of a Karzakan stable has revealed.
A ‘friendly’ one-year-and-five-month-old Spanish horse called Safi, which means ‘pure’ in Arabic, was hurt in an incident captured on CCTV.
Bahraini Ayman Mahdi filed a police report at Hamad Town Police Station after watching the footage.
An African expatriate, who had been employed at the stable for around two months, has been arrested over the allegations of animal cruelty and the case has been referred to the Public Prosecution.
Safi’s wound after the horrific attack
Speaking to the GDN, Mr Mahdi revealed that concerns were first raised at the stable after a yearling was earlier unexpectedly found dead. “I had seen it that day in very good health, so it started to raise questions that something was not right at the stable,” Mr Mahdi said.
A couple of days later, he was informed that Safi had suffered an injury. There is no evidence the incidents are linked.
“No one at the stable appeared to know what had happened, so I collected available CCTV footage. I immediately called the police,” he added. “It is just shocking, Safi is a cool and friendly horse.”
Safi is now recovering and is in good condition after receiving treatment, including antibiotics, from a visiting veterinarian.
The incident has also renewed calls for stronger measures against animal cruelty in the country.
A hotline launched in Bahrain earlier this year has provided the public with a direct channel to report cases of animal mistreatment and abuse. Introduced by the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry, the hotline – 17987227 – is available from Sunday to Thursday, from 7am to 2pm.
Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) chairman Mahmood Faraj believes the authorities could go further by introducing stricter punishments for those found guilty of mistreating animals, as a preventative measure.
He also urged farmers and other stable owners to follow Mr Mahdi’s lead and install CCTV cameras at their premises.
“Saudi Arabia has enacted very strict laws that many people would like to see introduced here in Bahrain,” he added.
Under Article 28 of Saudi Arabia’s Agriculture Law, overseen by the Environment, Water and Agriculture Ministry, those found guilty of harming animals can face up to five years behind bars and fines of up to of SAR10 million.
“In a recent case of animal abuse here in Bahrain, the defendant was only fined BD20, so how would that deter anyone?” he asked.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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