Bill seeks N$1m fine for animal fighting
The Law Society of Namibia yesterday sent out a draft Animal Protection Bill prohibiting ritual slaughtering of animals and introducing a fine of up to N$1 million for repeat "animal fighting" offenders.The bill highlights that "the slaughter of animals, for whatsoever purpose, must be carried out by stunning the animal before the slaughter and must take place in such a way as to spare the animal any pain, suffering, injury or fear".
Slaughter should also take place "out of sight of other animals to spare them anxiety and fear and by the provisions of this Act".
While regulations on best practices regarding the slaughter process and methods have yet to be determined, the bill prohibits all ritual slaughter practices.
In addition, it states that a person who causes, sponsors or encourages an animal to fight will be liable to a fine not exceeding N$500 000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 15 years, or both.
"A person previously convicted of [animal fighting] or a person who knowingly commits this offence in the presence of a minor child is liable to a fine not exceeding N$1 million or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 20 years or to both."
In recent months, there has been a surge in dog slaughter and outrage by citizens, dog owners especially, around the killing of "man's best friend" for human consumption.
Affirmative Repositioning (AR) activist Job Amupanda earlier this year defended his actions after a video of him reportedly eating dog meat and calling it a delicacy went viral on social media, saying it's his "culture".
Last month, Oshakati police officers were forced to euthanise five dogs after they brutally attacked 44-year-old security guard Ruben Abraham. He later succumbed to severe bite wounds to his face, head and back.
In this regard, the bill makes provision for police officers to "humanely kill" any animal if they see that the animal "is severely diseased or injured or in such a physical condition that the animal ought to be humanely killed".
"He or she must humanely kill the animal in consultation with a registered veterinarian. Any officer who kills an animal in the absence of the caretaker must, if such caretaker's name and address are known, advise the caretaker of the termination, and where the termination of an animal takes place on any public place or road, subject to the provisions of the Animal Health Act, remove the carcass or cause it to be removed," it read.