Bird Souq: Cruelty to Animals

This is a call for Qatar Government officials to regulate the animal trade being held at the Bird Souq in Souq Waqif.

We visited Souq Waqif this afternoon and saw the Bird Souq at the back of the main souq. Several birds, cats, rabbits, fishes and other animals were being displayed for sale. It was about 5pm but the sun was still up and hot. A lot of people were looking at the animals being sold and at first, you’d be amazed at the number of animals being sold.

However, upon looking at the state of the animals, the overcrowding in the cages, and the way they are being handled and displayed, was something that made my blood boil. I saw a seller trying to force a custom dress on to the rabbits he was selling, pulling the ears and forcing the poor rabbit into the small dress he made. There were 3 baby Ostriches which were placed on a very small cage that they could not almost fit nor be able to hold their neck straight up because of the low ceiling of the cage. There were lots of rabbits. And when I say a lot, I really mean A LOT OF RABBITS! These poor guys were packed in cages meant to hold 4-5 rabbit  and were now holding more than 15-20 rabbits. In a bin, we saw a dead rabbit and who knows how many more die each week or each day. A white bird was given to a kid who wanted a picture with it and suddenly dropped the almost flightless bird on the ground when he felt that it was about to poop on his hand. The bird fell 3 feet down straight to the ground, not being able to flap its wings either of dehydration or just too tired with all the number of people who wanted to hold him for a photo. It was horrible to see!

I’m not sure if a Tortoise is considered endangered in Qatar but someone is selling it in the Souq. Chicks with purple, pink, green and blue dye were being sold as pets for kids!

Xiane was enjoying looking at the cats minutes when we arrived. However, I felt it was my responsibility to tell her that these animal sellers also have a responsibility to the animals they are selling. I asked her if she was a bird, would she be happy in a cage so small that she could really fly? Would she be happy being packed in a cage that she could not move not stand up straight or walk at all? Xiane loves animals but once she realized how cruel these animals were being treated, she told me she wanted to buy all the birds so she could set them all free.

Is there a Government body in Qatar that regulates animal trade? They should at least check the condition of the animals being sold and see how they are being treated. I do at least advise readers that they shouldn’t also condone this. Do not visit  nor bring your kids to the Bird Souq in Souq Waqif. Other than getting more evidence of the abuse and cruelty to the animals being sold there.

Related posts:

1. Souq Waqif
2. Damasca Restaurant in Souq Waqif
3. Old meets New in Souq Waqif
4. Celebrating Eid Al-Adha at Souq Waqif