Caged cat for sale at the Sharjah Birds and Animals market. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Caged cat for sale at the Sharjah Birds and Animals market. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sharjah Municipality calls on public to report animal abuse after video of overheated cat prompts outcry



Witnesses of animal abuse are being urged to report it to Sharjah Municipality after a video of an overheated cat at the pet market was widely shared and caused outcry from animal welfare activists.

The video, taken by two Sharjah residents last week, showed a caged longhair cat heavily panting in a non-air conditioned room. The couple posted the video on the Facebook page for the Bin Kitty Collective — an animal welfare group in the UAE — prompting strong criticism from the public about the treatment of animals at the Sharjah Birds and Animals Market.

The following day, municipality inspectors visited the market and, according to a vendor, fined some of the pet shop owners.

On Tuesday, municipality officials confirmed that the video was filmed in the pet market and showed the cat in distress because the air conditioning had been turned off in the shop.

In a statement, it called on the public to report such cases of animal abuse to the municipality.

“The municipality deals strictly with animals welfare offences. Health and medical care are provided for pets at the market,” said Dr Amal Al Shamsi, director of the public health department at Sharjah Municipality.

UAE Federal Law 18, issued in December 2016, fines individuals found guilty of abusing or illegally hunting, buying or selling animals up to Dh200,000. The law also penalises offenders with up to a year in prison.

It was issued after a string of animal welfare abuses were exposed on social media.

Animal welfare activists have long called for the closure of the Sharjah Birds and Animal Market over the deplorable living conditions for animals. In February 2016, some shops were dyeing bunny rabbits bright colours ahead of Easter. The year before, kittens on sale at one shop were discovered to have been stolen only to be resold.

Dr Al Shamsi said the municipality would continue to carry out inspections at the market to ensure animals were being treated well.

In December 2016, Federal Law 18 — which fines individuals found guilty of abusing or illegally hunting, buying or selling animals up to Dh200,000 — was issued. The law also penalises offenders with up to a year in prison.

The law was issued after a string of animal welfare abuses were exposed on social media.

Cases of animal abuse can be reported to the municipality by calling 993 or by contacting a vet at the market.

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Read more:

Animal welfare activists call for harsher penalties against Sharjah pet market

Sharjah pet sellers dyeing rabbits for Easter a ‘cruel gimmick’ say vets

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

The biog:

Favourite book: The Leader Who Had No Title by Robin Sharma

Pet Peeve: Racism 

Proudest moment: Graduating from Sorbonne 

What puts her off: Dishonesty in all its forms

Happiest period in her life: The beginning of her 30s

Favourite movie: "I have two. The Pursuit of Happiness and Homeless to Harvard"

Role model: Everyone. A child can be my role model 

Slogan: The queen of peace, love and positive energy

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Starring: John David Washington; Adam Driver 

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Dates for the diary

To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:

  • September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
  • October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
  • October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
  • November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
  • December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
  • February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
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Volvo ES90 Specs

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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

The specs: 2019 Lincoln MKC

Price, base / as tested: Dh169,995 / Dh192,045

Engine: Turbocharged, 2.0-litre, in-line four-cylinder

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power: 253hp @ 5,500rpm

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Fuel economy, combined: 10.7L / 100km

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

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  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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