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General UAE Legal Questions LawFederal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals

UAE Federal Law·Federal Law No. (22) of 2016

قانون اتحادي بشأن تنظيم حيازة الحيوانات الخطرة

Authoritative Arabic version per the official UAE Legislation portal

Issued Date
December 12, 2016
Effective from
December 15, 2016
Articles
35
Last synced
Jul 20, 2026
Download PDFOfficial source

Plain-language summary

  • You need a license to own dangerous animals like big cats, snakes, and bears in the UAE.
  • Animal housing must meet safety standards to protect public health and prevent escapes.
  • Owners are legally responsible for injuries or damage caused by their dangerous animals.
  • Violations can result in fines, animal confiscation, and license cancellation.
  • The law applies to all individuals and facilities keeping dangerous animals anywhere in the UAE.

Regulates the possession, ownership, and control of dangerous animals in the UAE. Sets requirements for licensing, housing standards, and safety measures to pro…

Synced from the official UAE Legislation portal · Plain-language summary by the LEXAI editorial team

Article-level text

Key Articles

35 articles

  1. 1

    Chapter One: e

    Article 1

    Article 1 Definitions For the implementation of the provisions of this Law, and unless otherwise required by the context, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings assigned thereto: The State : United Arab Emirates. The Ministry : The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. The Minister : The Minister of Climate Change and Environment. The Competent Authority : The competent local authority in every emirate. Dangerous Animals : The animals causing harm or damage to humans and other animals as specified in the annexes (1) and (2) attached hereto including predators, hybrid and semi dangerous animals. Predators : Animals depending in their lives on the hunting and eating of other animals' meat. Crossbred Animal : The animal resulting from the mating of two animals of different races or families. Semi Dangerous Animals : The non-dangerous animals with their nature and which change their attitude to become hostile or fierce and may cause harm to humans. Stray Animal : The animal which is not owned by any person and which exists in a certain site depending on itself and is not subject to the control or care of any possessor. Street Animal : The animal strolling freely without restriction or supervision by its possessor even if it knows how to return to its possession place. Animal Possessor : The natural or juridical person owning, possessing, keeping, sheltering, caring for or guarding animals whether permanently or temporarily.

    -- 2 of 17 --

    Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals 3 Trading : All the operations of sale, display, marketing, promotion, transport, import, export, re-export, exchange or borrowing. Reproduction : Breeding or any activity to increase the breeding of dangerous animals. The Establishment : Any place where the dangerous animals are sheltered, kept, retained, grown, reproduced or treated. Zoo : The establishment possessing, keeping and reproducing live animals for display, entertainment, protection of their kinds or for education or research purposes. Animal Parks : Parks of immense area providing the animal the freedom of movement, imitating its habitat and enabling the visitors the visit and strolling in specialized vehicles. Circus : Any place where animals are kept for entertainment and show. Merciful Killing : The process of ending the life of an animal in a quick way and with the least pain and suffering possible. Chip : An electronic chip fixed below the animal skin to identify it with certain figures and codes.

  2. 2

    Article 2

    Article (2) Objectives of the Law 1. The objectives of this Law are as follows: 2. Regulating the ownership, possession, trading and reproduction of dangerous animals. 3. Protecting humans and other animals from the harm of dangerous animals and the transfer of their diseases and pathogens to humans and other animals. 4. Ensuring that such animals receive proper care.

    -- 3 of 17 --

    Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals 4 Chapter Two Regulation of the Ownership, Possession and Trading of Dangerous Animals

  3. 3

    Chapter Two Regulation of the Ownership, Possession and Trading of Dangerous Animals: Regulation of the Ownership, Possession and Trading of Dangerous Animals

    Article 3

    Article (3) Prohibition of Dangerous Animals No natural or juridical person may own, possess, trade in or breed dangerous animals.

  4. 4

    Chapter Two Regulation of the Ownership, Possession and Trading of Dangerous Animals: Regulation of the Ownership, Possession and Trading of Dangerous Animals

    Article 4

    Article (4) Establishment License and Exemption 1. Notwithstanding the preceding Article, the establishment license shall be issued only to zoos, animal parks, circus, reproduction centers, specialized care and sheltering centers and scientific and research centers and institutions whose work requires the availability of dangerous animals subject to the terms and conditions set by the Executive Regulations of this Law. 2. The licensing conditions referred to in the preceding Article shall not apply to the security, federal or local government military authorities.

  5. 5

    Chapter Two Regulation of the Ownership, Possession and Trading of Dangerous Animals: Regulation of the Ownership, Possession and Trading of Dangerous Animals

    Article 5

    Article (5) Prior Approval The establishment may not: 1. Organize dangerous animals' exhibitions, competitions or shows without the prior approval of the competent authority and subject to the terms and conditions set by the Executive Regulations of this Law. 2. Transport dangerous animals from one place to another inside the State or across State territories as transit cargo without the prior approval of the competent authority and according to the applicable procedures. Such transport shall be carried out by safe and appropriate means of transport that ensures the animal's safety and comfort and meets the technical conditions set by the Executive Regulations of this Law.

    -- 4 of 17 --

    Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals 5

  6. 6

    Article 6

    Article (6) Obligations of the Establishment The establishment shall: 1. Take out insurance by an insurer licensed in the State against dangerous animals' risk. 2. Provide the healthcare, vaccination against diseases and a document in this regard with the medical history of the dangerous animal. The Executive Regulations of this Law shall set the diseases against which the animal should be vaccinated. 3. Provide safe and appropriate sheltering places for the dangerous animals according to the conditions set in the Executive Regulations of this Law. 4. Feed the dangerous animals with the food suitable for their age and type and in sufficient quantities. 5. Provide appropriate training to the establishment staff.

  7. 7

    Article 7

    Article (7) The Records Special records for the licensed establishments shall be created at the Ministry and the competent authority. The Executive Regulations of this Law shall set the types of records and the rules and data of each record. Chapter Three Reports Pertaining to Dangerous Animals

  8. 8

    Chapter Three Reports Pertaining to Dangerous Animals: Reports Pertaining to Dangerous Animals

    Article 8

    Article (8) Reporting Stray or Street Animals Whoever finds any stray or street animal shall immediately report it to the Ministry or the competent authority or to the nearest police station.

    -- 5 of 17 --

    Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals 6

  9. 9

    Chapter Three Reports Pertaining to Dangerous Animals: Reports Pertaining to Dangerous Animals

    Article 9

    Article (9) Reporting Animal Possession without License Whoever becomes aware of the existence of a dangerous animal with any possessor unlicensed to own a dangerous animal shall immediately notify the Ministry, the competent authority or the nearest police station.

  10. 10

    Chapter Three Reports Pertaining to Dangerous Animals: Reports Pertaining to Dangerous Animals

    Article 10

    Article (10) Cases of Reporting by the Establishment The Establishment shall notify the Ministry or the competent authority of any of the following regarding a dangerous animal: 1. The animal's infection with an infectious or epidemic disease or is suspected to have been infected. 2. The animal's death 3. Transfer of the animal possession to another establishment 4. Loss of the animal 5. A person's injury or death as a result of attack by an animal 6. The Establishment's desire to abandon its animal or its inability to keep, shelter or look after the animal. Chapter Four Detention and Care for Dangerous Animals

  11. 11

    Chapter Four Detention and Care for Dangerous Animals: Detention and Care for Dangerous Animals

    Article 11

    Article (11) 1. The Ministry or the competent authority shall detain any stray, street or abandoned dangerous animal or any unlicensed animal and take the necessary measures in this regard according to the provisions of the Executive Regulations of this Law. 2. The competent authority should coordinate with the Ministry to establish sheltering and care centers for the detained animals as specified in the preceding item. The Ministry and the competent authority may dispose of them according to the provisions of the

    -- 6 of 17 --

    Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals 7 Executive Regulations of this Law. Chapter Five Possession of Dogs

  12. 12

    Chapter Four Detention and Care for Dangerous Animals: Detention and Care for Dangerous Animals

    Article 12

    Article (12) Licensing and Obligations of the Possession of Dogs No person may possess a dog without license from the competent authority. The Executive Regulations of this Law shall set the related conditions and obligations.

  13. 13

    Chapter Five Possession of Dogs: Possession of Dogs

    Article 13

    Article (13) Dogs' Register The competent authority shall keep a special register for the registration of dogs whose possession is licensed. Such register shall contain all the information related to the dog and its possessor including the following: 1- Name, ID number, address, age, nationally and residential address of the dog possessor 2- The dog origin, type, color, distinguishing signs, if any, the electronic chip number and the vaccination record.

  14. 14

    Chapter Five Possession of Dogs: Possession of Dogs

    Article 14

    Article (14) Dealing with Dangerous Dogs Subject to the Article (4) hereof, no natural or juridical person may possess, trade in or reproduce any dogs classified as dangerous and specified in annex (2) attached to this Law.

  15. 15

    Article 15

    Article (15) Leashing Dogs Dogs shall be leashed during strolling or when they are accompanied outside the borders of

    -- 7 of 17 --

    Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals 8 their sheltering places using appropriate collars to control them, failing which, they will be seized, detained and disposed of according to the provisions of the Executive Regulations of this Law.

  16. 16

    Article 16

    Article (16) Strolling with Dangerous Animals Without prejudice to the provisions of Article (15) hereof, no person may stroll accompanied by any dangerous animal outside the licensed establishment. Chapter Six Penalties

  17. 17

    Chapter Six Penalties: Penalties

    Article 17

    Article (17) 1. Whoever uses a dangerous animal to attack humans shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than three years and not more than seven years if such attack causes a permanent injury. 2. The penalty shall be life imprisonment if the attack leads to death. 3. The penalty shall be imprisonment for not more than one year and / or a fine of not less than (10,000) ten thousand Dirham and not more than (400,000) four hundred thousand Dirham if the attack result does not reach the level of seriousness specified in the two preceding items. 4. If the dangerous animal attacks a person without intention from its possessor at the time of attack, he shall be criminally punished with the penalty of involuntary manslaughter or unintentional injury as stated in the Penal Code, as appropriate. 5. In all cases, the animal referred to in this Article shall be detained and the court may issue an order to confiscate the animal depending on the result of medical examination during the detention period and to charge the detention costs to the possessor or the establishment.

    -- 8 of 17 --

    Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals 9

  18. 18

    Article 18

    Article (18) Whoever uses a dangerous animal to terrorize people shall be punished by imprisonment and / or a fine of not less than (100,000) one hundred thousand Dirham and not more than (700,000) seven hundred thousand Dirham.

  19. 19

    Article 19

    Article (19) Whoever possesses a dangerous animal for the purpose of trade shall be punished by imprisonment and / or a fine of not less than (50,000) fifty thousand Dirham and not more than (500,000) five hundred thousand Dirham.

  20. 20

    Article 20

    Article (20) Whoever violates any of the provisions of Articles (3), (5), (10), (14) and (16) shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than six months and / or a fine of not less than (10,000) ten thousand Dirham and not more than (500,000) five hundred thousand Dirham.

  21. 21

    Article 21

    Article (21) Whoever violates any of the provisions of Article (6), shall be punished by a fine of not less than (10,000) ten thousand Dirham and not more than (500,000) five hundred thousand Dirham.

  22. 22

    Article 22

    Article (22) Whoever violates any of the provisions of Articles (12) and (15), shall be punished by a fine of not less than (10,000) ten thousand Dirham and not more than (100,000) one hundred thousand Dirham.

    -- 9 of 17 --

    Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals 10

  23. 23

    Article 23

    Article (23) No Prejudice to More Severe Penalties The application of the penalties prescribed in this Law shall be without prejudice to any more severe penalty prescribed in any other law.

  24. 24

    Article 24

    Article (24) Judicial Seizure The officers nominated by a resolution from the Minister of Justice in coordination with the Minister or the head of the competent authority shall have the capacity of judicial officers for reporting the offences committed in violation of the provisions of this Law, its Executive Regulations and the resolutions issued for the implementation hereof, each in his respective area of competence. Chapter Seven General Provisions

  25. 25

    Chapter Seven General Provisions: General Provisions

    Article 25

    Article (25) Identification Marks The dangerous animals shall have a permanent identification mark as set by the Executive Regulations of this Law. If dangerous animals not bearing such mark were caught, the competent authority shall detain them and they may not be delivered to their possessors except after the payment of detention costs. In case (10) days elapse from the detention date and the possessor fails to attend or refuses to pay the costs, the animal may be disposed of according to the procedures set in the Executive Regulations of this Law and the possessor shall not have any right to claim compensation.

  26. 26

    Chapter Seven General Provisions: General Provisions

    Article 26

    Article (26) Regulation of Status Whoever possesses any dangerous animals shall adjust his affairs according to the

    -- 10 of 17 --

    Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals 11 provisions of this Law and its Executive Regulations within no more than six months from the date of entry into force of this Law.

  27. 27

    Article 27

    Article (27) Registration The owner or possessor of dangerous animals shall register them at the competent authority within a period of no more than thirty days from the date of entry into force of this Law.

  28. 28

    Article 28

    Article (28) Information regarding the Existing Establishments The competent authorities shall provide the Ministry with the information of the establishments existing on the date of entry into force of this Law.

  29. 29

    Article 29

    Article (29) Amendment of the Two Attached Tables In coordination with the competent authority, the Ministry may amend the two tables attached to this Law by adding or removing any type of animals specified therein.

  30. 30

    Article 30

    Article (30) Administrative Measures Regulations The Cabinet shall issue, by virtue of a Resolution based on the Minister's proposal, the Administrative Measures Regulations to be applied by the Ministry or the competent authority in case of violation of the provisions of this Law and its Executive Regulations.

    -- 11 of 17 --

    Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals 12

  31. 31

    Article 31

    Article (31) Offenses where Conciliation may be Concluded 1. The penal action in respect of the offenses specified in this Law and punishable only by a fine may not be filed except by virtue of a written request from the Ministry or the competent authority. 2. Conciliation may be concluded in the offenses referred to in the preceding item before the referral of the action to the competent court against the payment of an amount not exceeding half the maximum fine established for each offense. 3. The Cabinet shall issue a Resolution setting the controls of conciliation and the financial amount for conciliation in respect of each offense referred to in item (2) of the present Article.

  32. 32

    Article 32

    Article (32) Charges Setting Resolution The Cabinet shall issue a Resolution setting the charges proposed for the implementation of the provisions of this Law and its Executive Regulations.

  33. 33

    Article 33

    Article (33) Executive Regulations of this Law Upon the Minister's proposal, the Cabinet shall issue the Executive Regulations of this Law within six months from the date of publishing the Law in the Official Gazette.

  34. 34

    Article 34

    Article (34) Repeal of Conflicting and Contradicting Provisions Any provision contradicting or conflicting with the provisions of this Law shall be repealed.

    -- 12 of 17 --

    Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals 13

  35. 35

    Article 35

    Article (35) Publishing and Coming into Force This Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come into force from the day following the publishing date. Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of the United Arab Emirates Issued in the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi On 13 Rabea Al Awwal 1438 AH Corresponding to 12 December 2016 AD

    -- 13 of 17 --

    Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals 14 Annexes to Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals Annex (1) The Dangerous Animals Types Mammals Marsupials: All Species Primates: All Species Edentates: All Species Carnivores: The following Family Canidae All species except non-dangerous pet dogs allowed and licensed under Article 12 of this Law. Family Felidae: All types except the domestic and hybrid pet cats Family Hyaenidae: All types of Hyaenidae Family Mustelidae: All species of Family Mustelidae Family Procyonidae: All Types Family Ursidae: All Types Family Viverridae:

    -- 14 of 17 --

    Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals 15 All types of Family Viverridae Family Ailuridae: All Species Sea Mammals: All Types Hyraxes: All Types Chiropetra: All Types of Bats Colugi: All Species Manidae: All Species of Pangolin Rodents: All Species except domesticated hamsters, Guinea pigs, rats and mice Family Elephantidae: All species Aardvark Odd-toed Ungulates: The following species: Family Equidae: All types of Zebra - Przewalski's horse - African wild ass - Onager - Klang Family Rhinocerotidae: All species Even-toed Ungulates: The following species: Antilocapridae: Pronghom Family Bovidae: All species except domestic cattle, buffalo, goats and sheep Family Camelidate: wild bacterian camel - Llama - Alpaca - vicunas - gucunacos Family Cervidae: All species of the family Family Giraffidae: All species Family Hippopotamidae: All species Family Suidae: All species

    -- 15 of 17 --

    Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals 16 Family Tayassuidae: All species Birds: The following species: Family Struthionidae: All species Family Casuariidae: Cassowaries Family Dromaiidae: The Emu Vultures: All species Seagull: All species Penguins: All species Reptiles: The following species: All types of crocodalia All types of lizards, snakes and vipers The Invertebrates: The following species: All type of spiders All types of scorpions Annex (2) List of Dangerous Dogs 1- Pit Bulls Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dog American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog

    -- 16 of 17 --

    Federal Law No. (22) of 2016 Regulating the Possession of Dangerous Animals 17 American Bully Any mixed breed of above breeds of dog or their hybrid 2- Mastiff Dogs Brazilian Mastiff (Fila Brasiliero) Argentinean Mastiff (Dogo Argentino) Any Mastiff or Hybrid 3- Tosa Japanese tosa or hybrid 4- Rottweilers breed or hybrid 5- Doberman Pinschers 6- Presa Canario 7- Boxer

    -- 17 of 17 --

Note: The Arabic text of this legislation is the authoritative version as per the official UAE Legislation portal.

Articles in this law(35)
  1. 1Article 1 Definitions For the implementation of the provisions of this Law, and
  2. 2Article (2) Objectives of the Law 1. The objectives of this Law are as follows:
  3. 3Article (3) Prohibition of Dangerous Animals No natural or juridical person may
  4. 4Article (4) Establishment License and Exemption 1. Notwithstanding the preceding
  5. 5Article (5) Prior Approval The establishment may not: 1. Organize dangerous anim
  6. 6Article (6) Obligations of the Establishment The establishment shall: 1. Take ou
  7. 7Article (7) The Records Special records for the licensed establishments shall be
  8. 8Article (8) Reporting Stray or Street Animals Whoever finds any stray or street
  9. 9Article (9) Reporting Animal Possession without License Whoever becomes aware of
  10. 10Article (10) Cases of Reporting by the Establishment The Establishment shall not
  11. 11Article (11) 1. The Ministry or the competent authority shall detain any stray,
  12. 12Article (12) Licensing and Obligations of the Possession of Dogs No person may p
  13. 13Article (13) Dogs' Register The competent authority shall keep a special registe
  14. 14Article (14) Dealing with Dangerous Dogs Subject to the Article (4) hereof, no n
  15. 15Article (15) Leashing Dogs Dogs shall be leashed during strolling or when they a
  16. 16Article (16) Strolling with Dangerous Animals Without prejudice to the provision
  17. 17Article (17) 1. Whoever uses a dangerous animal to attack humans shall be punish
  18. 18Article (18) Whoever uses a dangerous animal to terrorize people shall be punish
  19. 19Article (19) Whoever possesses a dangerous animal for the purpose of trade shall
  20. 20Article (20) Whoever violates any of the provisions of Articles (3), (5), (10),
  21. 21Article (21) Whoever violates any of the provisions of Article (6), shall be pun
  22. 22Article (22) Whoever violates any of the provisions of Articles (12) and (15), s
  23. 23Article (23) No Prejudice to More Severe Penalties The application of the penalt
  24. 24Article (24) Judicial Seizure The officers nominated by a resolution from the Mi
  25. 25Article (25) Identification Marks The dangerous animals shall have a permanent i
  26. 26Article (26) Regulation of Status Whoever possesses any dangerous animals shall
  27. 27Article (27) Registration The owner or possessor of dangerous animals shall regi
  28. 28Article (28) Information regarding the Existing Establishments The competent aut
  29. 29Article (29) Amendment of the Two Attached Tables In coordination with the compe
  30. 30Article (30) Administrative Measures Regulations The Cabinet shall issue, by vir
  31. 31Article (31) Offenses where Conciliation may be Concluded 1. The penal action in
  32. 32Article (32) Charges Setting Resolution The Cabinet shall issue a Resolution set
  33. 33Article (33) Executive Regulations of this Law Upon the Minister's proposal, the
  34. 34Article (34) Repeal of Conflicting and Contradicting Provisions Any provision co
  35. 35Article (35) Publishing and Coming into Force This Law shall be published in the
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