Dubai Police and Dubai Municipality have teamed up to enforce tougher actions against illegal animal trade and private possession of dangerous animals.
The force recently thwarted an attempt of a man to illegally sell a wolf in Dubai.
The Environmental and Archaeological Crimes Division at the General Department of Criminal Investigation responded to the information they received about an individual trying to sell the wild animal.
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Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jalaf, Director of Criminal Investigation Department at Dubai Police, said the man was immediately arrested and referred to public prosecution.
The wild animal was seized and handed over to the Dubai Municipality for medical care and temporary shelter.
Federal Law No. 22 of 2016 prohibits every natural or legal person from owning, possessing, trading, and breeding dangerous animals.
Al Jalaf said violations could lead to imprisonment ranging between 1-6 months, and/or fines ranging from AED10,000 to AED500,000.
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Meanwhile, the wild animals will be confiscated and transferred to their natural habitats or licensed animal welfare centres.
He also noted that using a wild and dangerous animal to threaten or scare people is a crime with imprisonment and fine ranging between AED100,000 and AED700,000.
He said the owner could face a life time imprisonment if the attack was intentional, or a jail term ranging from 3-7 years if the attack lead to permanent disability to the victim. (RA)
