Livestock counts: UAE numbers animals to identify owners

Ras Al Khaimah - Police have boosted traffic patrols to catch stray animals off the emirate's roads and highways.

The department of public works have started numbering all the livestock in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah so that their owners are easily identified.
The move is in line with the new law No. 43 which streamlines the ownership and possession of animals in the emirate, according to a senior official here.
Abdullah Musa Al Balochi, manager of the animal care centre of the RAK department of public works, said these animals should never be left unattended.
"Many of them have gone stray and put road users' life at stake. Hence, their owners will be held responsible and shall be fined."
Seven mobile barns have been launched to lock stray animals, he disclosed. "These barns are mostly operated in areas with heavy traffic."
More inspection raids will be carried out to catch the strays, he added. "Many of them were spotted and reported during night on highways and internal roads of the emirate."
Some of them have been involved in excessive grazing at open public parks and road middle islands, Al Balochi explained.
"These animals have destroyed large tracts that have been developed and decorated with huge amounts of money."
Some other stray animals have reportedly spilled waste street containers in a way that tarnishes the image of the city, he pointed out.
"Records show that the centre has seized 604 of these stray livestock, including camels, goats and cows, in different areas of the emirate in the first half of this year."
The owners of claimed stray animals have been issued 65 tickets, he stated. "They have also been forced to sign undertakings never to repeat the violation and never leave their livestock unattended."
Last year, two people, including a 28-year-old Emirati man, and a 32-year-old Comoros resident, were killed, and another was seriously injured, after the car they were travelling in rammed into four stray camels, which also died on the spot.
Munzir bin Shukr Al Zaabi, director general of the RAK municipality, said they try all possible means to protect road users against stray animals, particularly during rains and poor visibility.
"We have urged livestock owners to stick fluorescent retroreflective strips on their animals so that they can be easily seen from a distance and help prevent horrible accidents, but some people are careless."
The RAK Police have boosted traffic patrols to get stray animals off the emirate's roads and highways. "Drivers are urged to concentrate on the roads, and shepherds have to pay attention to their animals as well," the police said.
Eng. Ahmed Al Hammadi, director-general of the department of public works, said they have launched more Raqib (control) patrols on the public roads and squares of the emirate to catch stray animals.
"The department has set up traps at different areas for the strays. Fences are also being built to keep such animals off the road and drivers."

If the livestock owner had already filed a report at the department that his animal is missing, he shall suffer a fine of Dh1,000 to get it back if it is in the custody of the department, he warned.
"The owner, following a strict verification procedure, shall then be forced to sign a declaration never to leave his animal unattended."

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah