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Animal lovers are patrolling the kingdom’s streets to protect Bahrain’s abandoned and wild dogs from abusive thugs.
A dozen determined campaigners calling themselves the Bahrain Strays have joined forces to protect the packs of miserable mutts and have organised a nightly rota to ensure they are regularly fed, cuddled and kept safe.
They claim gangs of local teens and young adults appear to be getting a thrill out of beating up the animals and sometimes leaving them for dead.
Bahrain Strays was set up in February by retired Fathiya Al Bastaki, 55, who lives in Zinj, initially to care for the strays around her immediate area, plus Segaiya, Adhari, Salmabad and Saar, and the group has gradually grown in numbers.
Nasreen Ashkanani, 33, from A’ali, a product development manager, has been working closely with Fathiya and believes they had no alternative but to take direct action to tackle the growing number of acts of animal cruelty.
Nasreen said: “We believe it is very important to have such initiatives in order to engage the hearts, hands and minds of the Bahraini community.
“The strays need our help due to the immense discrimination they receive in our Middle Eastern culture as they are generally not kept as pets in homes and direct contact is avoided with them.”
In recent months, the volunteers spotted a growing number of dogs around Salmabad badly hurt. They first assumed the injuries were caused by car accidents.
However, eyewitnesses came forward claiming that the injuries were related to something much worse. Nasreen said: “We only discovered through building friendships with the Asian workers that the injuries are actually being caused by a group of young men who were roaming the area in a car and attacking the dogs with wooden or iron rods. Several dogs have died due to the severe injuries they have suffered.
“The first attack we witnessed was almost a month back, after repeated ones were reported to us by the workers in the area.
“The thugs responsible are no older than 25 and they roam the backstreets in groups of three or four at different times.
“The workers try not to have any contact with them as a few who tried to intervene have ended up being threatened.”
The volunteers took a picture of the license plate of a car one of the gangs was travelling in and have reported the matter to police.
Nasreen said: “We have tried to create a patrolling group of members to guard the area, spot the guys responsible and take evidence of their criminal activities.
“We have tried to stop them and have a chat but, of course, they drive away. We have only been able to stop the attacks on two encounters with them.
“We have approached the police and filed a case.”
The volunteers have managed to carry the friendly injured animals to local vets for treatment and attempts have been made to treat the petrified pups by placing medicine into their food.
According to the law, Article 415 states that a prison sentence for a term not exceeding one year or a fine of not exceeding BD100 shall be inflicted upon any person who deliberately and unjustifiably kills or poisons domestic animals.
Article 416 also states that a punishment of imprisonment for a term of not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding BD20 shall be inflicted upon any person who tortures or causes severe physical pain to a pet or domestic animal.
Meanwhile, the group has created a petition entitled Authorities in Bahrain: Stop the stray dog attacks by abusers in Salmabad on www.change.org in order to raise further awareness.
The page states that there are several articles in Bahrain law supporting the punishment of animal abusers, however, they are not being implemented or taken seriously.
More than 500 signatures have been registered so far and support is continuing to grow.
Earlier in November a PAN-GCC law designed to protect animals was approved by Bahrain’s Cabinet. The draft bill, titled Humane Treatment of Animals in the GCC, is being referred to the National Assembly for revision.
In the meantime, the group will continue to patrol areas to save the strays.
Nasreen said: “There are many missing dogs that we used to feed that are no longer around the same areas. They have disappeared since the attacks started.
“However, so far 12 dogs have died and their bodies recovered the day after the midnight attacks.
“It is very important to highlight that these acts of animal cruelty are considered closely linked to a variety of other crimes, including violence against people, property as well as drugs or disorderly conduct offenses. Therefore, in my opinion the abusers should be brought to justice, never be released back to society until a complete analysis of their mental condition is evaluated and addressed.
“Please report any case of animal abuse, or cruelty to the authorities and to us. If no feedback or quick action is taken by the authorities, then step in and take action. Be the voice for the voiceless.”
The group has already assigned a lawyer to expedite the cases and help take them to prosecution.
For details, visit Bahrain Strays on Facebook.
