Sick horse? Ignoring it could land you in jail!

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

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What would you do if you stumbled upon a sick horse? If your instinct is to simply walk away, you might want to think again—authorities are cracking down on those who neglect their duty to report such situations, and the consequences could be severe.

A new directive issued by the Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, Wael Al Mubarak, has made it clear: failing to alert the authorities upon discovering a sick equine can result in jail time.

This regulation doesn’t just cover horses; it extends to mules, donkeys, zebras, and ponies as well.

The rule primarily targets horse owners and veterinarians who neglect to report any infected animal suffering from one of the 20 listed epidemic diseases to the Animal Health Directorate.

Under the law, offenders could face up to a month behind bars, fines reaching 1,000 dinars, or both.

This measure is part of Article 6 of Law No. (52) of 2014, which established the Animal Welfare Law across Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

The decree emphasizes the importance of swift action, stating that if any member of the equine family shows signs of illness, the responsible veterinarian, owner, or caretaker must report it immediately.

Among the diseases that must be reported are African Horse Sickness (AHS), Burkholderia mallei (glanders), Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), Dourine (Trypanosoma equiperdum), Vesicular Stomatitis, and Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA).

The list also includes serious illnesses such as rabies, anthrax, and West Nile fever.

As authorities ramp up efforts to protect animal health, the message is clear: when it comes to the welfare of our four-legged friends, ignorance is not bliss.

If you encounter a sick horse, it’s not just a matter of compassion—it’s the law.