Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: Federal Law No. (16) of 2007
- Issued Date: 04 Sep 2007
- Effective Date: 16 Sep 2007
- Official Gazette: No. 470
- Sector: Environment and Natural Resources
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 50
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 1
Summary
This Federal Law regulates the protection of animals in the United Arab Emirates. It establishes the legal framework for ensuring the welfare and humane treatment of animals, including domestic pets, livestock, and wildlife. The law defines the responsibilities of animal owners and caretakers, sets standards for animal housing and care, and prohibits certain practices that cause harm or suffering to animals. The law is significant for businesses and individuals in the UAE as it imposes strict requirements and penalties for non-compliance. It empowers government authorities to inspect facilities, quarantine sick animals, and enforce the law through administrative and criminal sanctions. Compliance with this legislation is crucial for anyone involved in the breeding, keeping, or use of animals in the country. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The purpose of this Federal Law is to protect the welfare and humane treatment of animals in the United Arab Emirates. It applies to all types of animals, including strolling, confined, domestic, and wild animals. The law regulates various aspects of animal care, such as housing, feeding, movement, treatment, and use for scientific purposes. It aims to prevent cruelty, abuse, and suffering of animals, and to ensure their wellbeing. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 1-2)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- The State: United Arab Emirates
- The Ministry: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
- The Minister: The Minister of Climate Change and Environment
- The competent department: The competent department in the Ministry
- The competent authority: The local authorities concerned with animals' affairs
- The authorized persons: The veterinary doctors of the Ministry or the competent authority
- The veterinary doctor: The person holding a certified bachelor degree in veterinary medicine and authorized by the Ministry
- The specialist: The person academically qualified in the field of veterinary medicine or laboratories
- The animals: All the types of strolling and confined animals including birds, reptiles, amphibious animals, fishes, mammals and wild animals
- Street Animal: The animal strolling freely without restriction or supervision by its possessor even if it knows how to return to its possession place
- Confined Animals: the owned animal existing in a certain location depending on others and subject to the control and care of the possessor
- The Establishments: Any place where the animals are kept, retained, reproduced, slaughtered or treated
- The Person in charge of the animal care: The animal guard who has actual control over it whether he is the owner or otherwise
(Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes the following key obligations on animal owners and caretakers: 1. Take all necessary precautions to avoid causing harm, damage, pain or suffering to animals under their care. This includes considering the animals' needs, not abandoning them, and providing adequate care and healthcare. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 2) 2. Provide a sufficient number of experienced and knowledgeable workers to care for the animals under their supervision. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 2) 3. Examine the animals at least once per day and look after them. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 2) 4. Provide the necessary assistance to authorized persons and specialists conducting inspections, examinations, and taking samples. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 3)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law does not specify any licensing, registration, or approval requirements for individuals or establishments keeping animals. However, it does require written permission from the competent department or authority to organize public animal displays, contests, or shows for commercial or other purposes. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 11)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law provides the following key rights and protections for animals: 1. Adequate space and freedom of movement for animals whose mobility is permanently or temporarily confined. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 4) 2. Proper housing and protection from weather, predators, and health risks for animals kept outdoors. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 5) 3. Appropriate feeding and access to water according to the animal's age and species. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 6) 4. Safe and humane transportation that protects animals from injury or harm. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 7) 5. Veterinary treatment and anesthesia for any painful interventions. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 8)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities responsible for enforcing this law are: 1. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, through the competent department. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 1, 15, 17) 2. The local authorities concerned with animals' affairs, referred to as the "competent authority". (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 1, 3, 11, 12, 13, 14) 3. Authorized persons, which include veterinary doctors from the Ministry or competent authority. They have the power to inspect facilities, examine animals, and take necessary actions. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 3)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law imposes the following penalties for non-compliance: 1. Imprisonment for up to 1 year and/or a fine of up to AED 200,000 for: - Sexually abusing an animal - Releasing an infected animal - Causing damage, harm, pain or irritation to animals - Offering for sale or trading in any ill or injured animal (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 14) 2. Imprisonment for up to 1 year and/or a fine of AED 50,000 to AED 200,000 for using animals for scientific experiments without authorization. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 14 Bis (1)) 3. A fine of up to AED 100,000 for violating other obligations under the law and its implementing regulations. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 14 Bis (2)) 4. Administrative penalties such as warnings, establishment closures, license revocations. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 14 Bis (4))
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The law does not specify any fees, charges, or financial provisions, apart from the penalties mentioned in the previous section. However, Article 16 Bis states that the Cabinet shall issue a resolution setting the charges applicable under the provisions of this law. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 16 Bis)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law does not provide any explicit exemptions or exceptions to its scope and requirements. It applies broadly to all types of animals in the UAE.
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law does not specify any dispute resolution mechanisms or procedures. It focuses on enforcement through inspections, administrative penalties, and criminal sanctions.
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law does not stipulate any specific deadlines or time limits, apart from the following: 1. The law came into effect 6 months after its publication date in the Official Gazette. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 19) 2. The Ministry may close an establishment for up to 6 months as an administrative penalty. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 14 Bis (4))
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The law references the following related UAE legislation: 1. The Federal Law No. 1 of 1972 regarding Ministries' Terms of Reference and Ministers' Powers 2. The Federal Law No. 6 of 1979 regarding Veterinary Quarantine 3. The Decree on Federal Law No. 9 of 1983 regulating Birds and Animal Hunting 4. The Penalties Law issued by Federal Law No. 3 of 1987 5. The Penal Procedures Law issued by Federal Law No. 53 of 1992 6. The Federal Law No. 7 of 1993 Establishing the Federal Authority of Environment 7. The Federal Law No. 10 of 2002 Regarding Practice of Veterinary Medicine 8. The Federal Law No. 11 of 2002 Regulating and Monitoring International Trafficking in Endangered Animals and Plants (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007)
When did this law come into effect?
This Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals came into effect 6 months after its publication date of 16 September 2007 in the Official Gazette No. 470. (Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals, 2007, Art. 19)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Law Concerning the Protection of Animals for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.