Umm Al Quwain to round up stray dogs and cats in bid to tackle rising numbers

Unclaimed animals will be seized and confined in designated pens

A royal decree in Umm Al Quwain states stray dogs and cats will be seized and held in designated pens

Strict new measures are being introduced in Umm Al Quwain to tackle the growing problem of stray animals roaming the emirate.

A royal decree announced on Thursday states that unclaimed dogs and cats will be seized and confined in designated enclosures.

Owners have three days to submit a pet retrieval request, with the department stating it would dispose of unclaimed animals in an appropriate manner.

One shelter in the emirate said it housed around 1,300 animals, while another pet boarding service operator said it was being overwhelmed with demand to home abandoned animals.

Local shelters advised owners who have not seen their pets recently to contact the municipality department immediately to check they had not been rounded up by mistake.

The decree, due to be published in the Official Gazette, said the department must follow established procedures for issuing necessary approvals to manage stray animals.

Positive step

The approvals include authorising judicial police officers to control and prove violations in accordance with the local and national legislation.

Neil Anderson, a dog trainer who runs boarding kennels in Ras Al Khaimah, said the decree had potential to tackle a challenging issue.

“Any announcement from government that recognises there is a problem is always welcome. The intent is good,” he said.

“If a dog owner comes home and their dog is missing, the first place they should check is the local government dog pound.

“So this announcement makes sense, to try and get people to be more responsible and keep their dogs safe.”

The move follows the launch of an animal welfare programme in Abu Dhabi after hundreds of stray cats were abandoned in desert areas.

In October, animal welfare groups demanded an investigation by the emirate's Department of Municipalities and Transport after more than 150 cats were found dumped in Al Falah.

Care programme

Since then, the Community Animal Care Programme has attracted volunteers to support regular trap, neuter and return (TNR) programmes, and education workshops across the emirate to control stray cat populations.

“There are lots of strays that don't belong to anybody running around all over the streets,” said Mr Anderson.

“That’s where I think this [Umm Al Quwain] ruling is targeted. These dogs are a risk to themselves, and also to the wider community in many respects, so this policy is understandable.

“I’m not sure it’s solving the problem, though, as it is not addressing the issue of people breeding dogs like there's no tomorrow.

“This year, we’ve got more rescue dogs in the kennels than we’ve ever had.”

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