Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture urged animal owners and herders not to leave their animals under blazing sun. It warned them against causing any harm or suffering to animals by exposing them to high temperatures during the current summer season.

The ministry called on animal owners to take all precautionary measures not to cause any harm to animals. It also stressed to abide by the principle of animal welfare, according to what was stated in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Animal Welfare Act.

The ministry’s media center said in a statement that in view of the rising temperatures, special measures must be taken to protect animals from extreme heat by providing food and water on a permanent basis as well as to prepare barns and shelters to protect them. The center also called for applying standards and requirements for animal welfare, adherence to vaccination, and keenness to keep them away from direct sunlight during peak summer hours, apart from carrying out inspection of their conditions at least once a day.

The ministry called on animal owners and caretakers not to let free any animal whose survival depends on humans. In the event of a desire to abandon it, coordination must be made with the competent authority, in addition to following up on the health status of the animals through examination and treatment by the competent veterinarian.

The ministry affirmed that it will apply penalties and regulations against any person who found guilty of violating any provisions of the law by abuse of animals in any way. The ministry’s branches and offices in the various regions of the Kingdom are working to control and monitor violations related to animal abuse.