"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress," Mahatma Gandhi once said, "can be judged by the way its animals are treated". Last year, the UAE introduced laws to protect animals and criminalise cruelty towards them. Animal rights activists welcomed the legislation, which imposed heavy penalties on those convicted of abusing or engaging in the illegal trade of animals. The previous year, a law introduced fines and a prison term for those found guilty of mistreating animals. Yet, as The National has reported, the abuse of animals continues.
The heartbreaking video of a cat caged in a Sharjah pet market – lying on its side and panting in the intense heat of the shop – has ignited calls for even harsher punishments for those who mistreat animals. As a Sharjah resident said: "Some of the animals we spotted were suffocating in cages." The authorities moved swiftly but the incident has prompted calls from animal rights activists for frequent surprise inspections at pet markets. This is a wise idea: the fear of being caught breaking the law can be a powerful deterrent and stop such mistreatment of animals – deemed a sin in Islam – from continuing unseen.
Authorities should act decisively and quickly when complaints of animal abuse are made. Any delay could have fatal consequences for defenceless creatures. Pet owners too must uphold their responsibilities to the animals in their care. There have been too many instances of residents simply dumping their pets when leaving the country or going on holiday, a deplorable act which should enlist penalties, whether financial or punitive. Microchipping pets so their owners can be traced could be one way to curb the number of pets being abandoned. There is a growing appreciation of the need to protect vulnerable animals in the UAE. Dubai Safari recently confiscated banned exotic animals from private owners. And last year Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, ordered a group of men caught torturing a cat to perform community service in Dubai Zoo. He set an example that such abominable cruelty should never be tolerated.
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Bournemouth 0
Manchester United 2
Smalling (28'), Lukaku (70')
Manchester City (0) v Liverpool (3)
Uefa Champions League, quarter-final, second leg
Where: Etihad Stadium
When: Tuesday, 10.45pm
Live on beIN Sports HD
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding