Government has drafted a special law aimed at preventing pet abandonment and animal cruelty in the Maldives.
The Animal Keeping and Animal Protection Bill was moved during Monday’s sitting by the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) lawmaker Mohamed Abdul Rahman on behalf of the government.
The bill is designed to streamline regulations and standards to facilitate sustainable and safe animal husbandry, breeding, buying and selling of animals in the Maldives.
The draft law will establish procedures for the medical treatment of animals to ensure the health and well-being of imported and domesticated animals and to protect them from diseases transmitted to and from animals and humans.
The import of animals into Maldives, possession, import and trade of animal feed and medicines will be required to be registered under this bill.
Under the bill, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare is responsible for formulating animal welfare policies and enforcing the law. The bill also requires the government to establish port quarantine facilities and animal sanctuaries at ports where animals are imported into the Maldives.
The bill also outlines measures to be taken for neglect, abandonment and cruelty towards animals. A fine of between USD649 and USD64,850 will be imposed for anyone who is found directly liable for the spread of a disease through animals. A fine of between USD325 and USD32,425 will be imposed for illegal import and export of animals.
The bill also includes a fine of between USD649 and USD6,485 for illegal breeding, keeping of animals illegally, sample fraud and violations of animal husbandry regulations.
In addition, a fine of between USD325 and USD3,242 can be imposed for animal cruelty or abandoning pets in public places.
The bill also provides for a fine of between USD325 and USD6,485 for any offense that does not specify the exact penalty.
The draft law comes amid mounting complaints of stray cats, especially around the capital Male’. The increasing number of stray cats around the capital has prompted the government to establish a special cat shelter which is now in operation in Hulhumale’.