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Dh5,000 Fine for Slaughtering
Animals in Residential Areas

DUBAI/SHARJAH/AJMAN - The Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman municipalities have warned of fines up to Dh5,000 for slaughtering sacrificial animals in public areas or in front of houses.

Ahead of Eid Al Adha celebrations, the municipalities in the three emirates have prepared their abattoirs for slaughtering the animals and issued warnings against all unlicensed butchers who slaughter animals in residential areas. The municipalities said they have taken all measures to ensure safety and hygiene at the abattoirs during the three days of Eid Al Adha.

In these emirates, charges for slaughtering will be Dh25 to Dh35 for sheep, cows Dh70 to Dh100 and camels Dh90.

The municipalities will arrange slaughtering for charity organisations.

Fahad Al Shuhail, Head of the Consumer Protection Department of the Sharjah Municipality, said the municipality has intensified inspections in markets, stores selling foodstuff, vegetables and fruits, and establishments selling sacrificial animals.

“The Public Health Department has chalked out a plan, including intensive market control measures, during Eid Al Adha to protect public health by removing food or food products unfit for human consumption,” he said.

Teams of veterinarians have been assigned to the goats and cattle markets to check the animals before they are slaughtered at the Central Abattoir and Al Dhaid and Eastern Area cattle markets and abattoirs. Health inspectors are also checking the markets and restaurants.

Dubai Municipality’s Markets and Abattoirs Department has also completed all preparations to meet the increasing demand for slaughtering animals during Eid. The slaughtering of sacrificial animals will start from 7.30am on Arafa day and will continue till 6pm. This year, a new route has been opened up for the public to enter the abattoir to reduce traffic jams. The municipality has formed a working group to look after slaughtering at abattoirs of the civic body located in Qusais, Bur Dubai and Hatta. The group will ensure best services to the public by providing enough butchers and helpers.

Ahmad Hassan Al Shammari, head of the abattoirs section at the Dubai Municipality, said the civic body, like every year, has chalked out a good plan and several measures have been taken to ensure public health and safety.

He said all abattoirs have completed the necessary maintenance, cleaned the equipment and machinery and replaced the old ones. “Special arrangements have been made at the abattoirs to serve people in the quickest possible time. The place has been cleaned up using non-toxic chemicals,”

He said arrangements have also been made to slaughter animals according to the veterinary health regulations, in conformity with the international specifications. A scientific method has been devised to get rid of the waste to ensure public health, safety and avoid pollution.

The official has urged the public to avoid slaughtering outside the abattoirs to prevent unhygienic conditions.

Khaled Al Hosani, Head of the Health Directorate of Ajman Municipality, said the abattoir has been renovated and equipped with advanced machinery and tools. “Following requests from people, we have rented a plot belonging to the abattoir to traders to sell the animals. This will make it easier for people to choose the animals and directly go to the abattoir for slaughtering,” he said.

Al Hosani stressed the importance of slaughtering animals at abattoirs as the animals will undergo medical examination by the veterinarians prior to slaughtering.

He also warned people against slaughtering animals in residential areas. “Slaughtering animals in residential areas will definitely pollute the environment and create unhygienic conditions that will lead to the spread of flies and insects. Residential areas are not equipped with special bins needed to collect animal wastes.”

afkar@khaleejtimes.com, amira@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE