A chilling video has been making the rounds across various local animal rescue groups and social media accounts, showing a man burning the genitals of a stray cat in Sharjah.
The video has sent shock waves across the rescue community, who were quick to identify the location of the incident through the video, pinning it down to Noor Mosque near Buhairah Corniche.
The clip, seen by Khaleej Times, shows the man laughing while engaging in the act with a lighter, as a friend films him, during the evening hours. Khaleej Times has been unable to verify the origins of the video, but understands it was first posted on social media about three weeks ago.
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Enraged rescuers have been sharing the video across social media, while also reaching out to Sharjah Police for help. The authority has since responded and is said to be investigating the matter, according to a Dubai-based cat rescuer Tasmiyah A, who told Khaleej Times that an officer contacted her about the video she posted on July 9.
“They contacted me through my social media account to ask for details,” she said. “They asked me where the incident took place, when it happened and who the man in the video was. They said it was a serious matter that required further investigation and thanked me for my cooperation.”
Khaleej Times has reached out to Sharjah Police for comment, which was still awaited at the time of publishing.
Community outrage
“Watching someone burn a cat’s genitals with a lighter and laugh was horrifying, but what struck me even more was that he felt confident enough to record it and post it online,” said Tasmiyah. “It’s not that we don’t have laws to protect animals — we do. But without consistent enforcement and public awareness, some people still think they can get away with cruelty. No one should feel they can commit such cruelty without consequences.”
She urged her followers to report the incident on the Biosecurity Early Notification System, a platform created by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) to report food safety threats, animal diseases and agricultural pests. Rescuers and residents have also been using the link to report animal abuse and dumping incidents. She also reached out to Sharjah Police in the comments along with other users to avail help.
“I truly hope something comes from this,” said the rescuer. “This man needs to be found, and the law needs to be applied clearly and publicly, not just for justice, but to show that animal cruelty is taken seriously. Because until people see real consequences, animals will continue to be abused, mistreated, and treated as if they aren’t living beings too.
“And for every case like this that’s caught on camera, there are countless more that never are: cases we see and hear of that never reach the point of investigation. These stories come to us all the time. It’s heartbreaking to think how many animals suffer in silence, simply because no one was watching with a phone. We have to do better for them,” she said.
Possible identity
Many rescuers have a hunch of who the man might be after tracing a suspected account on social media. Although unable to completely confirm his identity, they have passed on the tip to the authority. The man’s account, which used to be public on Instagram, has now been changed to private mode.
“Whilst we understand that not everyone shares the same compassion for animals, it is beyond comprehension and a real shame how anyone can go out of their way to harm them,” said rescuer Melissa M Stanton. “If people are unwilling to help them, at least don’t hurt them.”
Another rescuer Z.Q, who asked to go by their initials, hopes the cat-abuse video results in a police complaint, transparent prosecution, and visible sentencing. She also emphasised how important it is to spread awareness among the public.
“Educational campaigns in schools, mosques, and community centres can build empathy and awareness. Animal welfare hotlines, volunteer training, and coordinated response teams between police and municipal authorities would significantly reduce cruelty and neglect.”
“Sell-side practices — such as selling untagged or unmicrochipped animals — facilitate abandonment and abuse. Mandatory microchipping or tagging of animals sold in pet shops and breeders, coupled with strict licensing and fines for non-compliance, would ensure traceability. Those who abandon animals, regardless of their health status, must be held legally accountable,” she added.
Another rescuer who wished not to be named, said she is hoping for the best and urging authorities to “take appropriate measures for future”.
What UAE law says about animal abuse
Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law prohibits crimes against animals.
Article 466: A penalty of incarceration and/or fine shall be imposed on anyone who deliberately and without justification kills or seriously injures [certain animals]… as well as anyone who leaves a stray animal in conditions that poses a danger to people.
Article 471: A penalty of incarceration for a period not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding Dh10,000) shall be imposed on anyone who, deliberately and without justification, kills or poisons any domesticated or tamed animal other than those stated in Article 466.
Article 472: A fine not exceeding Dh5,000 shall be imposed on anyone who harasses, tortures or maltreats a domesticated or tamed animal, as well as anyone who abstains from caring for such animal when he is entrusted therewith or is duly bound to take care of it.
Article 473: A fine not exceeding Dh3,000 shall be imposed on anyone who, by his fault, causes wounds or injuries to any animal or cattle belonging to another person, and if such fault causes the death of such animal, the penalty shall be a fine not exceeding Dh10,000.
Furthermore, a separate and older law — Federal Law No. 16 of 2007 concerning the Protection of Animals from Abuse and Neglect — prohibits the use of animals for scientific experiments. Anyone using animals in this manner “without authorisation from the competent department or the competent authority” will face hefty penalties starting from not less than Dh50,000 and going up to Dh200,000, along/or with imprisonment of not more than a year.
In 2020, the Federal Public Prosecution had also warned that people selling ill or injured animals will face a fine of Dh200,000.
In case of finding a stray animal, the law advises residents to do the following:
1. Seize the animal if it constitutes danger or is suffering from pain or disturbance.
2. If the owner cannot be identified or contacted, consult a veterinarian immediately upon the animal’s suffering from pain or disturbance and take action according to the veterinarian’s opinion.
3. If the owner is identified, oblige him/her to pay for all expenses incurred.
This law concerning animal protection, which was enacted in September 2007, states that animals should not be left alone or abandoned; that they should be taken care of or supervised by people with knowledge, skills and qualifications, and that both the animal and its living conditions must be checked at least once a day.
Under the law, animals are entitled to rights, including the right to have enough space enabling them to move freely, according to their needs, to be fed and watered adequately according to their age and species, and to be transported and housed safely.
Recent regulations
Abu Dhabi has been making strides in animal welfare, with recent laws making it mandatory for pet owners to register their microchipped cats and dogs under a new animal ownership service, which was launched on February 3.
Under new regulations introduced by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), pet owners must register their animals on the TAMM platform, and failure to comply will result in fines starting next year.
The new system aims to reduce stray animal population, track pet records, enable proper identification and improve animal welfare, while creating a centralised database for owners and their microchipped pets.
In 2023, authorities in Abu Dhabi had also launched an investigation into reports about cats being abandoned in the desert. Videos showing several cats abandoned in a desert went viral on social media, with many rescue groups expressing shock over the incident.
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