A legislation that regulates the possession and trade of dangerous animals is on Parliament’s table during Tuesday’s weekly session.
The government-drafted bill, referred by Deputy Premier Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, will be voted on for review by the public utilities and environment affairs committee.
The law classifies animals into three categories - dangerous, semi-dangerous and predatory.
Possession of dangerous animals will be prohibited unless it is for police and military purposes. Ministries and government bodies are also exempted from the law. However, they have to have records of such animals under their possession.
For zoos, circuses, public parks, and research and study centres, alongside any other establishments named by the Prime Minister, permission will be required through the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry.
Punishable
Under the law, it will be prohibited to take those animals to public spaces.
Using those animals to cause harm will be punishable with three to seven years in jail, and life term or the death sentence, if it leads to a fatality.
Should a registered animal get out of control and cause harm or death, it will be dealt as involuntary crime or manslaughter.
In all cases, any animal involved in a crime will be seized.
Using animals to spread fear, or failure to follow proper procedures and licensing, could lead to a year in jail, a fine of between BD1,000 and BD10,000, or both.
Establishments would be fined between BD2,000 and BD20,000 for any criminal activity carried under their name or banner involving or using those animals.
The Cabinet will issue a list of the fees per permit for such animals whenever the bill is approved and featured in the Official Gazette.
The list of animal classifications will be determined by the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister.
Shaikh Khalid pointed out that there was no law regulating possession or trade of dangerous animals in Bahrain.
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