Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: [22] of 2016
- Issued Date: 12 Dec 2016
- Effective Date: 15 Dec 2016
- Official Gazette: No. 609
- Sector: Environment and Natural Resources
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 73
- Chapters/Parts: 14
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Federal Law regulates the ownership, possession, and trading of dangerous animals in the United Arab Emirates. Its primary objectives are to protect humans and other animals from the harm of dangerous animals, ensure the proper care of such animals, and prevent the spread of diseases from dangerous animals to humans and other animals. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 2) The law is significant for businesses and individuals in the UAE as it imposes strict requirements for the possession and handling of dangerous animals. It prohibits the general public from owning or trading in dangerous animals, with limited exceptions for licensed establishments like zoos, animal parks, and research centers. Violations can result in substantial fines and imprisonment, making compliance crucial for anyone involved with dangerous animals in the UAE. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Arts. 3-6, 17-22)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals applies throughout the United Arab Emirates. It regulates the ownership, possession, trading, and reproduction of animals classified as "dangerous" under the law. The law's primary objectives are to protect humans and other animals from the harm of dangerous animals, ensure the proper care of such animals, and prevent the spread of diseases from dangerous animals to humans and other animals. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 2)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- Dangerous Animals: Animals causing harm or damage to humans and other animals, as specified in Annexes 1 and 2, including predators, hybrids, and semi-dangerous animals. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 1)
- Predators: Animals that depend on hunting and eating other animals' meat for their survival. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 1)
- Crossbred Animal: An animal resulting from the mating of two animals of different races or families. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 1)
- Semi-dangerous Animals: Non-dangerous animals that change their attitude to become hostile or fierce and may cause harm to humans. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 1)
- Stray Animal: An animal not owned by any person, existing independently in a certain location. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 1)
- Street Animal: An animal roaming freely without restriction or supervision by its possessor. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 1)
- Animal Possessor: A natural or legal person owning, possessing, keeping, sheltering, caring for, or guarding animals, whether permanently or temporarily. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 1)
- Trading: All operations of sale, display, marketing, promotion, transport, import, export, re-export, exchange, or borrowing. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 1)
- Reproduction: Breeding or any activity to increase the breeding of dangerous animals. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 1)
- Establishment: Any place where dangerous animals are sheltered, kept, retained, grown, reproduced, or treated. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes the following key obligations: 1. Establishments licensed to possess dangerous animals must take out insurance against the risk of such animals. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 6(1)) 2. Establishments must provide healthcare, vaccination, and medical history documentation for the dangerous animals in their possession. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 6(2)) 3. Establishments must provide safe and appropriate sheltering places for the dangerous animals. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 6(3)) 4. Establishments must feed the dangerous animals with suitable food in sufficient quantities. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 6(4)) 5. Establishments must provide appropriate training to their staff. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 6(5)) 6. Individuals must report the presence of any stray, street, or unlicensed dangerous animals to the authorities. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Arts. 8-9) 7. Establishments must report various incidents related to dangerous animals in their possession, such as disease, death, loss, or attacks. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 10)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law prohibits the general public from owning, possessing, trading, or breeding dangerous animals. However, it allows the issuance of establishment licenses to the following entities, subject to certain terms and conditions: - Zoos - Animal parks - Circuses - Reproduction centers - Specialized care and sheltering centers - Scientific and research centers and institutions (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 4(1)) The law also requires prior approval from the competent authority for: 1. Organizing dangerous animal exhibitions, competitions, or shows. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 5(1)) 2. Transporting dangerous animals within the UAE or as transit cargo. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 5(2)) Additionally, the law requires individuals to obtain a license from the competent authority to possess dogs. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 12)
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 2. The competent local authority in each emirate (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 1) The law empowers these authorities to: - Detain any stray, street, or abandoned dangerous animal, or any unlicensed dangerous animal. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 11(1)) - Establish sheltering and care centers for detained animals and dispose of them as necessary. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 11(2)) - Nominate officers with the capacity of judicial officers to report violations of the law. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 24)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law imposes the following penalties for non-compliance: 1. Using a dangerous animal to attack humans: - If the attack causes permanent injury: Imprisonment for 3-7 years. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 17(1)) - If the attack leads to death: Life imprisonment. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 17(2)) - If the attack does not reach the level of seriousness in the above two items: Imprisonment for up to 1 year and/or a fine of AED 10,000 to AED 400,000. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 17(3)) 2. Using a dangerous animal to terrorize people: Imprisonment and/or a fine of AED 100,000 to AED 700,000. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 18) 3. Possessing a dangerous animal for the purpose of trade: Imprisonment and/or a fine of AED 50,000 to AED 500,000. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 19) 4. Violating provisions related to the prohibition of dangerous animals, prior approvals, reporting requirements, dealing with dangerous dogs, and strolling with dangerous animals: Imprisonment for 6 months to 1 year and/or a fine of AED 10,000 to AED 500,000. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 20) 5. Violating provisions related to the obligations of licensed establishments: A fine of AED 10,000 to AED 500,000. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 21) 6. Violating provisions related to the licensing and leashing of dogs: A fine of AED 10,000 to AED 100,000. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Art. 22)
When did this law come into effect?
The Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals was issued on 12 December 2016 and came into effect on 15 December 2016, the date of its publication in the Official Gazette No. 609. (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Issued Date and Effective Date)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals references and interacts with the following other UAE federal laws: - Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 Concerning the Competences of Ministries and the Powers of Ministers, as amended - Federal Law No. (6) of 1983 Regarding Veterinary Quarantine, as amended - Federal Decree-Law No. (9) of 1983 Regulating the Hunting of Birds and Animals - Federal Law No. (5) of 1985 Promulgating the Civil Transactions Law, as amended - Federal Law No. (3) of 1987 Promulgating the Penal Code, as amended - Federal Law No. (35) of 1992 Promulgating the Criminal Procedure Code, as amended - Federal Law No. (24) of 1999 Regarding Environment Protection and Development, as amended - Federal Law No. (11) of 2002 Regulating and Controlling the International Trafficking of Endangered Animals and Plants - Federal Law No. (6) of 2007 Establishing the Insurance Authority and Regulating its Business, as amended - Federal Law No. (16) of 2007 Regarding Animal Protection - Federal Law No. (8) of 2013 on the Prevention of and Combating Infectious Animal and Epidemic Diseases (Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals, 2016, Preamble)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Law Regulating the Possession of Dangerous 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.