DOGS could be classified as “dangerous animals” by legislators and councillors as part of a proposal that will be reviewed by Parliament.
The officials want “man’s best friend” to be in the same category as tigers, lions, alligators and other wild animals under the Dangerous Animals’ Possession draft law.
In addition, they are pushing for dog owners to have special permits under strict conditions in an effort to curb the stray dogs menace.
Under the bill – backed by Bahrain’s three municipal councils (Northern, Muharraq and Southern) and the Capital Trustees Board – individuals could be jailed for life and fined up to BD30,000 for illegally keeping dangerous animals.
Parliament public utilities and environment affairs committee vice-chairman Ahmed Al Demistani, whose committee is reviewing the law, said they have noted the Southern Municipal Council’s plan to include a special chapter in the draft bill related to dog owners and their responsibilities.
“Dogs are dangerous animals as they eat meat and attack others,” said Mr Al Demistani.
“They should be included in the law as dangerous animals and special permits should be issued for those who want to keep them as pets under strict conditions, including the owner bearing all legal responsibilities.”
Council chairman Bader Al Tamimi told the GDN that the legalities differ between domestic and stray dogs, warranting a revision of the legislation.
“I have been told that the legislation will include granting licences as exemptions for home or farm dogs through a special criteria.
“Stray dogs are dangerous and not meant to be at homes or farms, but it’s difficult to distinguish them in the law.”
However, there is strong opposition from some MPs and animal rights groups who claim that dogs have been domesticated historically and even used to help special needs people.
MP Khalid Bu Onk, who is on Mr Al Demistani’s committee, said the move would be against international animal rights which don’t classify dogs as dangerous animals.
Mr Al Demistani
“People are used to dogs as pets for centuries and how can we overnight classify them as dangerous? All this needs to be explained to the public, especially pet owners,” said Mr Bu Onk.
Mr Bu Onk
“Microchipping dogs is the best solution that could fall under the municipal rules.”
His views were backed by councillor Abdulla Abdullatif who said microchips will help identify the dog in case of an attack on humans or other animals.
“They are pets living happily in homes and even help the blind by being service dogs, so tagging them as dangerous animals is a wrong approach,” he said.
“If these proposed changes go ahead, every dog will have to be granted a special licence similar to lions, tigers, snakes and other dangerous animals.”
Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) president Mahmood Faraj said a database for dogs could be set up stressing that veterinarians have information on dogs receiving treatment.
“Everyone knows about dangerous animals and dogs are certainly not one of them.
“If it’s about eating meat, cats eat meat too, so will they be included?”
Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf told the council that the proposal would be reviewed by Parliament.
Last month, the GDN reported that a pack of stray dogs killed three deer and a goat at the Country Club in Janusan.
There have been cases reported in the past of children attacked by stray dogs in some parts of the country.
According to rough estimates it is believed that Bahrain is home to more than 25,000 stray dogs and the number is growing.
The GDN reported in 2018 that some government homes mainly in Hamad Town were being used to raise exotic pets such as alligators, tigers, scorpions, farm animals and even camels.
It was later revealed a joint task force was being formed to seize illegal pets or livestock that are being reared in government homes.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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