Souq Waqif - where is the Dept of Health?
One evening recently I decided to go to the Souq and take a leisurely stroll. I was enjoying the hustle and bustle of the evening and then started meandering through the alleyways. Suddenly I heard sounds that were not familiar to the Souq and my ears pricked up. Being an animal-lover I knew what the sounds were but not sure why I was hearing them where I was.
After swiftly working my way toward the sound I was horrified at the site that fell before me. Exotic birds and animals in their hundreds. I was so shocked I had no words and then I started to look around and could not believe what I was seeing. Cruelty to animals is the first thing that came to mind. Many birds indigenous to other countries were here is this boiling heat, small cages and making so much noise. Along with that, rabbits, hamsters (that were being man-handled by the shop 'attendants'), cats in cages (when there are so many stray ones to tame if necessary). African Gray parrots, Cockatoos - beautiful birds waiting helplessly for someone to take them out of this nightmare.
I am disgusted at what I saw and will never go to the Souq again and neither will I tell any visitors to go there. Not only is it cruelty to animals but with things like Swine Flu going around I am surprised that the Dept of Health is allowing birds (which we know carry many viruses and diseases)and other animals to be in a place where there are restaurants, ice-cream parlours, coffee houses, etc where people hang out or visit and can be affected by these viruses or diseases because many are carried by wind as well. Hmmmmmmm.
