In the heart of Fujairah, a recent sighting of a wild cat sent ripples of concern through the tranquil residential fabric. Swift action ensued, with authorities investigating the matter fervently. The verdict? The prowling feline belonged not to the untamed wilderness, but to a human hand. This revelation, however, ignited a pressing query: Are wild animals fit for domestication in the UAE?
Despite the unequivocal warnings from the UAE authorities against harboring exotic fauna, a disconcerting trend emerges, defying regulations and tempting fate. With fines reaching staggering heights of Dh500,000 for those daring to flout the decree, one might question the allure of such risky companionship.
Recollections of a parallel incident from 2021 come to light, when the shadows of legality eclipsed the lives of Dubai denizens harboring not one, but eight untamed souls. Lion cubs and a rare simian found themselves ensnared by the grasp of Dubai’s law enforcement, a stark reminder of the perils lurking behind such ostentatious ownership. The year witnessed another spectacle, as a ‘jaguar’ was rumored to prowl amidst the suburban sanctuary of Springs 3, only to be revealed as an errant ‘domestic cat’ in the end.
Seeking clarity amidst the legal labyrinth, Khaleej Times consulted Barney Almazar, a luminary in Gulf Law spanning the realms of UAE, Philippines, UK, and Portugal. Almazar, an oracle of jurisprudence, elucidated the intricate tapestry of regulations governing the possession of wild beasts in the UAE.
“With resolute clarity, Almazar decrees, “The domicile of dangerous beasts as domestic companions is not merely discouraged, but expressly forbidden in the UAE.” The echoes of Federal Law 22 of 2016 reverberate, defining ‘Dangerous Animals’ as those posing imminent threat to life, limb, or tranquility.
Peering deeper into the legal annals, Almazar unveils the fate awaiting transgressors, brandishing the specter of imprisonment or fines ranging between the humble bounds of Dh50,000 and the staggering heights of Dh500,000. His voice solemn, Almazar outlines the grim consequences should the beast turn upon its keeper, with penalties escalating to the realms of life imprisonment in cases of fatal encounters.
Yet amidst the legal rigmarole, a glimmer of reprieve shines for those bound by legitimate pursuits. Zoological enclaves, circuses, and sanctuaries stand as bastions of exception, provided they adhere to the rigorous protocols ordained by the law.
In the UAE, the dance between man and beast is one fraught with peril, a delicate balance between fascination and folly. As the wild roams at the doorstep of civilization, the law stands sentinel, a bulwark against the encroaching shadows of recklessness.”
