Marty
09-15-2005, 10:16 AM
Manama, Bahrain -- ANIMAL cruelty is widespread across Bahrain and not enough is being done to stop it, according to a pet rescuer.
The British expatriate, who did not want to be named, has rescued and re-homed 20 abused dogs in the last two months alone.
He started his campaign five years ago, but is now calling for tougher penalties for animal abusers, while at the same time urging authorities to enforce existing laws.
But he said the current animal cruelty fine of BD25 was a laughable because offenders are still allowed to keep the animal they have abused.
"Someone should have the power to be able to take the animal away," he told the GDN.
"They should be fined, warned and then jailed if they do it again."
The animal lover has several pets of his own including 10 cats, 10 dogs, two horses and 20 pigeons.
He said many of the dogs he rescues suffer from neglect, malnutrition, tick infestation and physical abuse.
One dog he rescued was lame and had huge burns after being abused by his previous owners, while another died of tick fever.
Another dog brought to him two weeks ago had been so badly neglected that it couldn't walk or stand.
It ended up dying of organ failure.
"There was also a mixed poodle of six-months-old that was brought to me by Bahrainis who wanted me to try and sell it," he said.
"They came to me again when it was one-year-old and it was in a mess.
"It never got brushed, it was dumped outside and his coat had been bleached by the sun and was all knotted.
"His coat was so tight that the dog couldn't even walk, it was tight like a bandage and it took a week to cut his coat off.
"People think they are toys - they don't know how to look after them and most animals are not allowed inside."
The pet owner is so passionate about saving abused dogs that he has even offered offenders money so he can take the animal away. The most he paid to rescue a dog was BD100. He said that many dogs in Bahrain were also abused through organised dog fighting, but accused the police of not taking action. "I don't think anyone cares, they think they are animals and that's what they're there for," he said. "I've seen dogs with some really bad scars where they had been used for fighting. "Muharraq is the worst area and a lot goes on at the stables in Saar." He warned pet owners to secure their homes after hearing of several cases where dogs and cats have been stolen. "Big German Shepherds and cute small dogs are the most at risk - the big dogs are stolen for fighting and the cute ones to sell on," he said. "Once they are stolen they keep them in cages, but these are someone's pets. "You shouldn't have animals if you don't have feelings for them - they are like children, you can't throw it away when you've had enough or feed them on junk."
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=122061&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=28179
The British expatriate, who did not want to be named, has rescued and re-homed 20 abused dogs in the last two months alone.
He started his campaign five years ago, but is now calling for tougher penalties for animal abusers, while at the same time urging authorities to enforce existing laws.
But he said the current animal cruelty fine of BD25 was a laughable because offenders are still allowed to keep the animal they have abused.
"Someone should have the power to be able to take the animal away," he told the GDN.
"They should be fined, warned and then jailed if they do it again."
The animal lover has several pets of his own including 10 cats, 10 dogs, two horses and 20 pigeons.
He said many of the dogs he rescues suffer from neglect, malnutrition, tick infestation and physical abuse.
One dog he rescued was lame and had huge burns after being abused by his previous owners, while another died of tick fever.
Another dog brought to him two weeks ago had been so badly neglected that it couldn't walk or stand.
It ended up dying of organ failure.
"There was also a mixed poodle of six-months-old that was brought to me by Bahrainis who wanted me to try and sell it," he said.
"They came to me again when it was one-year-old and it was in a mess.
"It never got brushed, it was dumped outside and his coat had been bleached by the sun and was all knotted.
"His coat was so tight that the dog couldn't even walk, it was tight like a bandage and it took a week to cut his coat off.
"People think they are toys - they don't know how to look after them and most animals are not allowed inside."
The pet owner is so passionate about saving abused dogs that he has even offered offenders money so he can take the animal away. The most he paid to rescue a dog was BD100. He said that many dogs in Bahrain were also abused through organised dog fighting, but accused the police of not taking action. "I don't think anyone cares, they think they are animals and that's what they're there for," he said. "I've seen dogs with some really bad scars where they had been used for fighting. "Muharraq is the worst area and a lot goes on at the stables in Saar." He warned pet owners to secure their homes after hearing of several cases where dogs and cats have been stolen. "Big German Shepherds and cute small dogs are the most at risk - the big dogs are stolen for fighting and the cute ones to sell on," he said. "Once they are stolen they keep them in cages, but these are someone's pets. "You shouldn't have animals if you don't have feelings for them - they are like children, you can't throw it away when you've had enough or feed them on junk."
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=122061&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=28179