Five strays die of suspected mass poisoning

Abu Dhabi - Animal Action volunteers have started combing the area looking for survivors and collecting the bodies of the dead animals for cremation

In a suspected mass poisoning, as many as five dogs have died in Abu Dhabi and another ten are fighting for life, animal volunteers claim.
"This is grisly, the plain murder of animals. This is one of the worst such incidents we have seen recently," Sarita Harding, a volunteer at Animal Action Abu Dhabi, told Khaleej Times.
Harding said the dogs were found dead near one of their feeding stations in Mussafah Industrial area on Monday 5. "It was our feeders that first saw the dead dogs. It was a painful sight. Many of them were bleeding from the nose.
"The latest count of dead dogs stand at five. One which was at the vet died today morning. The numbers can go up as many more could be lying dead out there. And we do not know how many rescued ones will make it," Harding added.
She said Animal Action volunteers have started combing the area looking for survivors and collecting the bodies of the dead animals for cremation.
The Volunteer group that runs a network of feeding stations, and also foster stray animals, said they are in the process of collecting evidence to take legal action against the culprits. "We are getting the autopsy done to establish the dogs died from poisoning. The symptoms are clear. Most of the rescued dogs were in terrible condition from vomiting, diarrhoea and bleeding from the nose," said Harding.
"We are going to try our best to find out who poisoned these poor doggies that asked for very little in life and were doing their best to survive on the streets in this heat. It's a very harsh life for strays," read a post on the Group's Facebook page.
"My heart is truly breaking this time. It is sickening beyond belief," read one of the comments on the Facebook page.
The Group has also requested animal members to donate as they will have to cough up an enormous amount in veterinary bills to treat the sick dogs.
"There are many puppies that are sick. We are trying our best to save as many as we can. Our next big challenge will be find foster homes for the ones who survive. We are desperately short of adopters.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com
Animal abuse is punishable
Animal abuse is punishable in the UAE. According to Federal Law 18, individuals found guilty of abusing animals or illegal hunting, buying or selling of animals will be fined Dh200,000 and given a one-year prison term. A new draft law passed by the Federal National Council in June 2015 includes life imprisonment and/or a Dh1 million fine. The use of an animal for scientific experiments without an official permit is subject to a fine of between Dh50,000 and Dh200,000 and a one-year prison sentence.