The slaughter of 29 dogs by gun-toting men in Qatar has sparked outrage in the Gulf state as it prepares to host the World Cup later this year.
Authorities say police are investigating the killings, the worst in a series of brutal cases of dog cruelty.
But they’ve faced criticism from animal rights activists, who say laws protecting pets like dogs aren’t being enforced.
The latest killings took place on July 10 at an industrial site near the capital Doha, but the massacre was not reported until days later, activists told AFP.
Four men, two armed with hunting rifles, threatened guards at the factory and then killed 29 dogs and puppies, activists said. At least three others were injured, including two in the late stages of pregnancy.
As the men emerged, the dogs ran toward them, believing “they were being fed,” said one activist.
“But the men started shooting indiscriminately,” added the activist.
Authorities say they have identified suspects without giving further details.
The motive wasn’t immediately clear, although activists said dogs have long been a target for inhumane treatment in the Gulf state, where some believe Islam considers dogs “unclean.”
According to an activist, the gunmen told security forces “that a dog bit the son of one of the men.”
“But the site is cordoned off with high fences and no child could come in to play near the dogs,” the activist said.
Another said there had been many instances in recent years of dogs and birds, including flamingos, being used by people with guns for target practice.
“There appears to be no law enforcement, meaning these monsters will never be brought to justice,” Paws Rescue Qatar, an animal welfare group that first reported the attack, said in a statement on its Instagram account.
One activist added: “The problem here is why people are allowed to use hunting rifles and weapons against animals.
“As far as we know, no case has ever led to a successful indictment.”
Qatari authorities have not publicly commented on the case.
But Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, sister of the ruler of Qatar, took to social media to condemn the attack as “unacceptable”.
Since the slaughter, authorities have rounded up the other dogs that were at the industrial site and taken them to a government-run shelter where activists say are holding about 3,000 strays.
These activists have complained that activists have never been allowed access to the shelter and fear for the animals there.
Activists have also said authorities have never responded to offers to organize training and manage shelters.
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