Staff at a Sharjah restaurant were stunned upon discovering a dead kitten outside their workplace on September 22. Shockingly, another kitten was found dead near the entrance the next day, deeply disturbing the staff.
The unsettling events prompted the manager to investigate, leading to a horrifying discovery: CCTV footage showing a man violently abusing the kittens each morning. Khaleej Times reviewed the footage and decided not to share it due to its graphic nature.
Recorded at 6am, the footage depicts the man violently throwing the kittens, stomping on them, and slamming them against surfaces.
Before the attacks, he cautiously checked for witnesses. After brutally abusing a kitten, he left, looking around as the kitten struggled on the ground. He wore the same outfit both days.
Keep up with breaking news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Rasheed, manager of House of Grill in Abu Shagara, shared his horror after viewing the footage with Khaleej Times. “There was no blood on the cats, which seemed suspicious, prompting us to check the CCTV. This cruelty happened when children wait for school buses. This man needs to be caught; cruelty to animals or humans is the same.”
CCTV screengrab of the man abusing a stray cat.
The kittens’ mother lived nearby. Across the road, Joseph Lobo, an Indian expat and salon owner, has resided in the area for 37 years. “The mother came to our shop last year and gave birth to a kitten. Just 25 days ago, she had these two. They slept near our shop, and that day she took them out for the first time since they opened their eyes. They never returned.”
Lobo, who aids stray cats and finds them homes, arrived in the UAE at 17. Now 54, he reported the footage to Sharjah Police. “I showed the man’s picture to area shops. We suspect he lives nearby. A supermarket worker saw him around.”
Similar incidents have occurred recently, with several cats found injured or dead. Locals suspect the same individual from the CCTV footage.
Joseph is now seeking a home for the mother cat and her older kitten. “She keeps crying and stopped eating. She’s still searching for her babies.” He hopes the mother cat finds love in a new home. Joseph’s family buried the kittens.
Community Outrage
The video, now viral, has shocked the community. Residents, stunned by the footage, demand action. Pet rescuers aim to identify the culprit.
“We must unite and ensure this man faces justice,” a social media user stated.
Local rescuer Tasmiyah A. was moved to tears by the footage: “I was shaken. These kittens were 20 days old, seeing the world for the first and last time. Not what I wanted on my first university day, but helping animals in the UAE has shown this harsh reality.
“Authorities must act and publicize it officially. Animal abusers often harm humans and pose a societal threat,” she added.
She urged followers to report the incident via the Biosecurity Early Notification System, a MOCCAE platform for reporting food safety threats, animal diseases, and agricultural pests. Rescuers and residents use the link to report animal abuse and abandonment.
Joseph recalled a similar incident years ago, which he reported to Sharjah Police. “Police acted then, catching and fining the individual. I hope history repeats itself.”
Such incidents aren’t new. In July, a chilling video circulated showing a man burning a stray cat’s genitals in Sharjah.
If encountering a stray animal, the law advises:
1. Remove the animal if it’s a danger or in distress.
2. If the owner is unknown, consult a vet immediately if the animal is in pain or distress, and act on their advice.
3. If the owner is identified, they must cover all incurred expenses.
The 2007 animal protection law mandates that animals not be abandoned or left alone and requires knowledgeable care and daily welfare checks.
Animals have rights under the law, including adequate space, food, water, safe transport, and housing.
UAE Animal Abuse Laws
Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 prohibits animal crimes.
Article 466: Incarceration and/or fines apply to anyone who unjustifiably kills or harms certain animals or leaves strays in dangerous conditions.
Article 471: Incarceration up to a year or fines up to Dh10,000 for deliberately killing or poisoning domesticated animals not covered in Article 466.
Article 472: Fines up to Dh5,000 for harassing, torturing, or neglecting domesticated animals.
Article 473: Fines up to Dh3,000 for causing injury to animals, with higher penalties if it results in death.
A separate law from 2007 prohibits using animals for scientific experiments without authorization, with penalties from Dh50,000 to Dh200,000 or up to a year of imprisonment.
In 2020, the Federal Public Prosecution warned of Dh200,000 fines for selling ill or injured animals.
Recent Regulations
Abu Dhabi has advanced animal welfare laws, requiring microchipped cats and dogs registration. A new animal ownership service began on February 3. Under DMT’s regulations, pet owners must register pets on the TAMM platform, with fines for non-compliance starting next year.
The system aims to reduce stray animals, track pet records, enable proper identification, and enhance welfare, creating a centralized owner and pet database.
In 2023, Abu Dhabi authorities investigated cats abandoned in the desert. Viral videos of the incident shocked rescue groups.
