The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture recently fined 25 pet owners SR565,000 for violating the Livestock Law, GCC Animal Welfare Act, and the GCC Law concerning practicing the veterinary medicine profession.
Dr. Ali Al-Duwairij, Director-General of the Directorate of Health and Veterinary Control, pointed out the animal welfare violations included illegal practice of veterinary medicine, unlicensed veterinary facilities, unauthorized sale of milk and sick animals that were left to starve to death, unauthorized transportation of animals and birds from area to another. Such violations were reported in different regions across the Kingdom, he added.
"The ministry will not hesitate to impose the penalties set out in the said laws on any person convicted of breaching these laws.", said Dr. Al-Duwairij.
The ministry is calling on all to immediately report suspected animal abuse by toll-free at 8002470000. It is also worth mentioning that Saudi Arabia is deeply committed to animal welfare where basic standards of care and treatment are provided for all animals.