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29 March 2024

Lioness in Dubai: Supplier in custody

The owner of the lioness did not have a permit for the animal. (EAY)

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By Staff

Dubai Police has released on bail the owner of the lioness caught in the Al Barsha area, Major-General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief, Dubai Police, told Emarat Al Youm.

Major General Al Mansouri stated that Dubai Police also arrested the person who brought the lioness to the owner, also of Arab nationality.

Maj. Gen. Al Mansouri confirmed that the investigations are still underway to find out how the lioness entered the UAE.

He clarified that two patrols of the Al Barsha police station intervened with the help of specialists from Dubai Municipality to control the escaped lioness, after it fled from the owner’s house.

The lioness is four months old and is of an African breed. The cat is currently housed in Dubai Zoo.

No permit

According to Hashim Al Awadhi, Head of the Veterinary Services Section at Dubai Municipality, the owner of the lioness did not have a permit that authorises the acquisition of the predator.

“The law prohibits the acquisition of predators at home, because of the danger to its life and the lives of those living nearby,” Awadhi said.

Earlier report

A big cat was caught roaming near Al Barsha in Dubai on Thursday evening, according to Arabic daily Emarat Al Youm.

Major-General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief, Dubai Police, said that the police operations room received calls from several people to inform that they had spotted a lioness wandering the streets near Al Barsha.

Immediately police patrols along with the Veterinary Services Department members of Dubai Municipality arrived at the site and surrounded the lioness.

Al Mansouri said no one was injured and added that the big cat had escaped from its owner’s house.

Legal action will be initiated against the owner, he said.

Meanwhile, Hashim Al Awadhi, Head of Veterinary Services Department, Dubai Municipality, said that the lioness was transferred to Dubai Zoo.

He stressed that the Ministry of Environment and Water does not grant permit to have big cats in homes.

Investigation is on.