Maldives ratifies major animal welfare law with strict penalties
New legislation introduces heavy fines for cruelty, illegal trade, and abandonment of animals, marking strongest animal protection framework in Maldives history
MALÉ, Maldives (MNTV) — The Maldives has introduced a landmark national animal welfare law that imposes strict financial penalties for abandonment, mistreatment, and illegal trade of animals, marking the most comprehensive regulatory framework for animal protection in the country’s history.
Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the sweeping Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare Act, establishing strict regulation of breeding, transport, and import of animals and setting substantial penalties for cruelty and abandonment — issues that have sparked rising public concern in the Indian Ocean nation.
The act aims to create enforceable national standards for humane treatment and safe commercial handling of animals. It also seeks to address widespread complaints about the dumping of domestic pets, particularly cats and dogs, in public spaces and tourist zones.
Under the new provision, abandoning an animal or causing injury to one can result in fines ranging from $324 to $3,243.
The legislation also builds a formal regulatory structure for animal-related commerce. It requires registration and government authorization for the importation of animals and the trade of feed, pharmaceuticals, and other regulated materials.
Responsibility for policy design and enforcement will rest with the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, who is mandated to develop national infrastructure including quarantine facilities at ports and dedicated animal sanctuaries.
More severe offenses carry substantially higher penalties. Spreading disease through animals can now result in fines between $649 and $64,851, while violations involving illegal import or export may draw penalties from $324 to $32,425.
Lower-tier violations — such as unauthorized breeding, forged documentation, or breaches of animal care standards — will incur fines from $649 to $6,485.
The law will come into force 90 days after ratification, giving authorities, commercial operators, and the public a transition period to comply with the new rules.
Animal welfare groups in the Maldives have long called for comprehensive legislation amid rapid urban development and rising pet abandonment.
Analysts say the move aligns the Maldives with broader regional and global trends toward stricter animal-rights frameworks, particularly relevant for a country heavily reliant on tourism and environmental sustainability.
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