What's being done to protect our animals in UAE?

The saying goes: 'The bigger the better', but that's not the case when it comes to dog sales in Dubai.
During Khaleej Times' trip to both the Birds and Pets Market in Dubai and the Sharjah Animal Market, there was one trend that stood out.
Teacup, pure-bred puppies took precedence at the front of the shop, with the older, bigger dogs shunned to the back. With price tags from between Dh3,000 to Dh9,000 each, the puppies were noted as the "best sellers" by one shopkeeper.
"People like the small, good looking dogs," he said.
And when asked how much the older dogs were, we were quickly informed they were not for sale, but up for "adoption". "Bigger dogs are harder to shift so we don't sell them. They are often put up for adoption after being left in kennels by owners."
Another shopkeeper told Khaleej Times the big dogs usually take "one month to shift", but on average they get returned "two or three times from families" as they can't cope with them.
"But when we talk about puppies, they shift within a week," she said.
And sadly, the characteristics for dogs put up for adoption are always the same. "They tend to be one-year-old and up, of mix breed, and it's always the bigger dogs. They're just not seen as 'designer' enough I guess, and they get difficult to manage when they grow."
Of the pure-bred and teacup variety of dogs on show, she said they are most often shipped in from Ukraine and the Czech Republic. And that's because people opt for "European breeds, and it's cheaper to import" from these countries.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com
What's being done to protect our animals in UAE?
> In November 2014, Sharjah introduced a law prohibiting the trade and possession of exotic wild animals. It stated that most wild animals cannot be reared as pets, with fines of up to Dh100,000 imposed on those keeping such animals.
> It was the first emirate to take action against the trade of exotic animals.
> More evidence that the UAE is committed towards ending illegal wildlife trade is the fact that it is a signatory of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
> And in June 2016, the Federal National Council (FNC) also passed a draft law in a bid to prevent residents from unlicensed dealing and ownership of wild and domesticated (but dangerous) animals.
The draft law stipulates:
1. Only zoos, wildlife parks, and breeding and research centres can keep wild or exotic animals.
2. Cases of wild animals being kept as pets should be reported to police
3. Residents parading exotic pets such as cheetahs and lions out in public will be fined between Dh10,000 and Dh500,000.
4. Using animals as a threat to another's life or as a tool of intimidation will results in either a Dh700,000 fine and/or jail time.
5. If a person is killed by an animal, manslaughter charges can be brought against owner.
The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) is also seeking an issuance of a new federal law in the UAE to ban and confiscate predators from residences. Those who fail to do so will face a fine of Dh30,000 or a one month prison sentence for each animal.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com