Trio ordered to clean Dubai zoo over cat killing video

The men who were detained for torturing a cat in Dubai will be made to perform four hours of community service daily by cleaning the Dubai Zoo for three months, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stated in an order.

"Those reckless men committed a crime that was against basic human principles. This brutal and cruel act contravenes our values and the teaching of our tolerant religion, which preaches mercy and welfare for animals,'' HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said.

The Dubai Police arrested the men after a video showing them feeding a cat to dogs went viral on social media platforms.

The act triggered strong and widespread condemnation from every quarter for the ugly, atrocious and irresponsible behaviour that is alien to human and moral values of the society.

Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, commended Sheikh Mohammed for his order requiring the application of the community service penalty on those involved in the incident.

"The order underscores H.H.'s commitment to safeguarding the noble values upon which the UAE citizens were raised. These values promote mercy for animals and denounce all forms of cruelty and violence even against animals. This deviant behaviour is completely unacceptable and should not go unpunished,'' the Dubai Police chief asserted.

H.H.'s order will contribute to preserving order in the community, he noted.

''Apart from the operating laws on animal welfare, the community service punishment remains an important factor that serves a two-pronged approach. First, it obliges those behind the act to perform certain duties in service of the community for the violation they committed. Second, the penalty will help spread awareness among the public about the negative consequences of committing such acts. It will also serve as a strong deterrent to anyone considering to commit such unacceptable and alien practices,'' he added.

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