Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

The discovery of 150 cats abandoned in a UAE desert has led animal rights group PETA to offer a $5,000 (Dh18,350) reward to anyone with information on those behind the incident. Videos that showed dozens of dead cats in Al Falah area have gone viral on social media, after residents cried foul about the felines dumped in the desert. Some showed cats buried in sand or barely able to stand. Rescuers said that 90 cats survived, but at least 62 died. Volunteers who searched the Al Falah desert also found a number of dead dogs. PETA’s Senior Vice President Jason Baker revealed the reward in a statement to AFP. "PETA Asia is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever dumped these cats in the desert to die horribly of thirst, starvation, and from the unrelenting heat," he said. The Department of Municipalities and Transport confirmed that it has launched investigations into into the incident, vowing that "administrative and legal measures" would be used against the perpetrators of this "inhumane" act. The DMT also urged the public to report any incident of animal abuse or neglect by contacting 800555. Pet abandonment and animal cruelty are illegal in the UAE, and violators face a fine of Dh10,000. ICA/Expat Media
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