A law regulating animal research and minimum standards for the care and sale of pets is expected to be passed soon after a 12-month delay. The new law stipulates jail terms and fines of up to Dh20,000 (US$5,445) for people abusing animals. The document is now with senior officials in the Ministry of Environment and Water and will soon be signed off by the minister, Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad. A draft has been ready since 2007, but the Cabinet reshuffle in February - in which Mr Fahad was appointed minister - meant a review of all policies and practices at the ministry.
Once the document is signed, government officials will have the right to confiscate animals that are being abused. The most severe punishment, at least one year's jail and a fine of no less than Dh5,000, has been set for serious abuse, according to a draft of the document, obtained by The National. Penalties will also be introduced for people who abandon their pets, while it will prohibit public exhibitions, competitions or shows of animals without written permission from the ministry or local authorities.
The law also applies to pet shops, farms, stables and other premises where animals are kept. These establishments will be asked to keep records of their animals and any treatment that has been given. The sale of sick or emaciated animals will be forbidden. The law states that animals in captivity must be cared for by an adequate number of competent staff. Other animal welfare issues are included, such as providing animals with clean, ventilated cages and pens, making sure they have sufficient room, adequate food and continuous access to fresh water.
Animal research will be more strictly regulated, with researchers required to specify the scientific objectives of their experiments. Animal welfare organisations and veterinary doctors have praised the draft law. "I think it is great and I hope they will reinforce it. It is long overdue," said Jackie Radcliff, who runs K9 Friends, a non-profit dog rescue organisation. However, further improvements were needed, she said.
"I would like to know what happens to the animals once they have been confiscated. In the United Kingdom, for example, a person who abuses an animal is banned from owning it," she said. Dr Ullrich Wernery, the scientific director at the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) in Dubai, said he hoped the new law would put an end to the mistreatment of animals. In one recent case, Dr Wernery said he saw horses tethered in desert camps in high temperatures. The animals should spend the summer in air-conditioned stables, he said.
At another camp, a young camel was living in a confined space and barely able to move. In each case, he said, the caretakers just shrugged when they were asked about the conditions. "You ask about the animals, but it is not just them that have to be outside in the heat," he was told by one man who refused to give his name. "It is us, too." @Email:vtodorova@thenational.ae
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Price, base / as tested Dh274,000 (estimate)
Engine 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder
Gearbox Nine-speed automatic
Power 245hp @ 4,200rpm
Torque 500Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: Automatic
Power: 530bhp
Torque: 750Nm
Price: Dh535,000
On sale: Now
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Get inspired
Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).
Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.
Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?).
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Company%20Profile
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Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
