People could be jailed for life and fined up to BD30,000 for illegally keeping dangerous animals.
Under a new proposal, currently under review in Parliament, the Capital Trustees Board has amended punishments and categorised dangerous animals.
In proposed changes to the draft Dangerous Animals’ Possession Law, possession of a dangerous animal without authorisation from the directorate concerned would attract a fine of between BD100 and BD1,000.
However, should the animal attack a human being and cause harm then the owner will be jailed for between a year and three years.
In case the attack results in a fatality, the punishment is life in jail and a fine between BD20,000 and BD30,000.
But if the owner is unaware of the attack leading to death, it will be considered manslaughter and dealt with in accordance with the Penal Code.
In all cases, the animal would be seized with the owner being made to pay for the caretaking, and also requiring them to comply with the law within six months.
The minister concerned will issue a list of dangerous animals, adding to it as and when necessary.
He will also have the power to cancel licences to private zoos, circus or entertainment shows should animals there pose a threat.
Board vice-chairwoman Aziza Kamal said the punishments were lenient compared to the dangers posed by dangerous animals.
“Imagine, a fine of just BD1,000 for possessing a dangerous animal,” she said.
“The law should include an article stipulating that should there be a higher punishment for similar violations in other laws, then a judge should impose that in his verdict.
“Also, it shouldn’t just be life in jail, but death, in cases where keeping dangerous animals have led to a fatality.”
Ms Kamal said she has seen shops in Bahrain selling dangerous creatures.
“I have seen a shop selling baby crocodiles and barana fish; there should be stringent monitoring to ensure such dangerous animals are not sold or used for other purposes,” she added.
“The law is a step in the right direction but it needs to be strengthened to give authorities power to implement.”
The GDN reported in 2018 that some government homes were being used to raise exotic pets, farm animals and even camels.
Authorities pledged a crackdown on such activities which are said to mainly occur in Hamad Town – described as a “wonderland” for illegal animal breeders.
Rules preventing municipal inspectors from entering private properties without a warrant have so far hindered efforts to tackle the problem.
However, it was later revealed a joint task force was being formed to seize illegal pets or livestock that are being reared in government homes.
The animals were cattle, horses, camels and exotic animals – like alligators, tigers, scorpions and others that belong in the wild or the jungle.
SMUGGLED
It was also revealed at a Northern Municipal Council meeting then that smugglers were getting these creatures easily into Bahrain via King Fahad Causeway, Bahrain International Airport and Khalifa Bin Salman Port.
Those included wild animals like tigers, lions and coyotes which were being brought in at a tender age by smugglers in hidden vehicle compartments.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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