Bahrain Court fines BD1,000 for treating animals’ sans licence

TDT | Manama     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

After selling veterinary medicines for a while, this man pondered why he shouldn't begin treating animals as well.

Enough was enough in the store and he decided it was time to help save animals' lives. Consequently, he left from his job unnoticed and began practising as a veterinary doctor, albeit without the necessary license.

This continued unchecked until a judicial officer from the Animal Health Department arrived at the man’s pharmacy for an inspection.

When the official, during the inspection, inquired about the pharmacist, who was absent from the shop, a staff told: “He is no longer working with us.” The staff disclosed that the suspect left them in 2021 but had never informed the Animal Health Department, presumably to evade legal repercussions.

To the official's surprise, the staff also told him that he is now working as a veterinary doctor. “He is treating animals and prescribing medications,” the staff disclosed.

Court records indicate that the suspect, a 43-year-old individual, lacked the qualifications to provide consultations and treatments, whether within or outside the confines of the pharmacy.

His authorisation extended solely to the dispensing and sale of medications within the pharmacy premises. Following an investigation, the suspect was apprehended and brought to trial.

The Court imposed a fine of BD1,000 and no jail term. However, the suspect challenged this fine at the appellate court, which upheld the fine, affirming the initial ruling.