UAE warns of AED20,000 penalty for slaughtering animals at unauthorized locations

Dubai: Local authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced a wide-ranging crackdown on the illegal slaughter of animals in homes, sandpits, and other unauthorized locations during Eid al-Adha.

Emirati authorities urged residents to use only approved slaughterhouses, warning that violators could face fines ranging from AED5,000 to AED20,000, the Khaleej Times reported.

The move is aimed at curbing unhygienic practices and ensuring public health, with inspection teams stepping up surveillance during the Eid holidays.

Surveillance System

The municipalities of Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain announced the deployment of inspection teams from tomorrow (Friday) to conduct strict surveillance during the Eid holidays. The move targets individuals and unlicensed butchers who are operating outside official slaughterhouses, where neither hygiene rules are followed, nor veterinary supervision is in place.

Authorities have warned that these unauthorized activities are not only a violation of municipal laws but also pose a serious threat to public health and the environment. They urged residents to use only approved slaughterhouses, where veterinary inspections, proper waste disposal, and Islamic slaughter principles are fully adhered to.

Strict measures in Sharjah

Khalifa Boghanim Al Suwaidi, Director of the Control and Inspection Department in Sharjah, said that inspection teams will take strict action by detecting violations under the surveillance system. Despite awareness campaigns, many residents still fall victim to these illegal services, which lead to meat contamination, the spread of diseases, and unsanitary conditions.

Sharjah Municipality has stressed that its approved slaughterhouses operate in accordance with strict hygiene principles, where animals are subjected to veterinary inspections before and after slaughter. Certified butchers, who can be identified by uniforms and ID cards, ensure that the process meets health and safety standards.

Facilities in Ajman

In Ajman, the municipality has established a livestock market near the official slaughterhouse to make the purchase and slaughter of animals legal and easy.

Khalid Al Hosni, head of the health department, said that the move aims to reduce reliance on illegal slaughterhouses, as the system allows people to select sacrificial animals and take them directly to the slaughterhouse, avoiding unsafe and unauthorized methods.

Khalid, director of the health department, warned that slaughtering at home poses a serious risk of animal-to-human diseases and environmental damage. He added that animal testing at municipal slaughterhouses ensures the timely diagnosis of diseases and the safety of meat.

Measures in Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain

Fujairah Municipality has also expressed similar concerns, with Director-General Mohammed Saif Al Afkham warning that slaughtering at unauthorized locations does not follow basic health principles, which increases the risk of contamination and disease. Unlicensed butchers operate without veterinary supervision, which is a real risk to consumers.

The municipality confirmed that all preparations for Eid are complete, with an adequate number of veterinary doctors and technical staff deployed in slaughterhouses, and field inspections against violators have been tightened.

Maitha Jassim Shafi, Director of the Environment and Public Safety Department in Umm Al Quwain, said that all slaughterhouses will remain open from 6:00am to 7:00pm daily.

She said that the new livestock market near Union Bridge in the Al Abruk area will provide on-site veterinary services, so that animals can be inspected before and after slaughter. We urge all residents to use only approved slaughterhouses, where certified butchers work under health supervision, as this is the only way to ensure the safety of meat.

Authorities have appealed to citizens to immediately report any illegal activity to their respective municipalities, so that public health and safety can be maintained during Eid.

The message from local authorities is clear: falling into the trap of laziness with illegal butchers this Eid will not only lead to fines, but can also put your health, the law, and the spirit of Eid at risk.

Citizens are urged to make responsible decisions, resort to licensed services, and celebrate Eid al-Adha with safety, dignity, and peace.