Muscat Municipality

قياس مستوى تعاون الوحدات الحكومية

News

Astray Animals

Slowly Disappearing Phenomena in Muscat

· Keeping animal under control is the responsibility of owners

· Astray sheep are an annoying source to individuals in residential neighbourhoods

· Astray animals impede municipal efforts to landscape

Setting animals loose in public areas and residential neighborhoods without control from their owners is phenomenon that contravenes with the cultural values and organizational efforts of municipalities to maintain an optimal urban environment. Setting these animals unrestrained also creates societal, economic and traffic safety risks as animals wander in streets or residential areas and graze in public landscapes.

Muscat Municipality still receive some reports from the community about the presence of astray animals wandering in residential places within the cities. Talal Al Rahbi, head of operations in Muscat call centre said that the centre received in 2018 (193) reports of the presence of astray animals, including (90) reports related to the breeding of animals in neighbouring homes and (103) reports of the presence of loose animals. In 2019, there were 95 registered reports, including 28 related to keeping animals in neighbouring homes. Al-Rahbi added, Muscat call centre registered 102 reports this year, bringing the total number of registered communications during the last three years to 390.

Local ordinance no. (24/91) regulates animal husbandry according to a number of articles, as it obliges the individual to comply with the provisions of the provisions and requirements for the organization of animal husbandry within the prescribed scope and limits of Muscat Municipality. Among them, the prohibition of keeping animals in some places in Muscat governorate, while allowing them to be kept in private farms and gardens or special places, provided that they are approved by the municipality, after meeting the health conditions determined by them and issuing a licence to do so.

The local ordinance also states that it is not permissible to leave animals neglected in streets and squares, or to allow them to graze except without appropriate supervision, and only in places allocated for grazing. The regulation also authorizes any municipal employee or police officer who finds astray animal to seize it and hand it over to the municipality corral. In return, anyone who violates any provision of this ordinance shall be punished with a fine, with the obligation to make appropriate compensation for any damage the animal may cause to the property of others.

Muscat Municipality appreciates the cooperation of the community by reporting through the hotline about the presence of astray animals, as well as the role of owners to abide by the local ordinance, and their responsibility to preserve the property of others.